This volume considers psychoanalytic theory related to gender studies. From psychoanlaytic perspective there has long been a struggle regarding the theory's ideas about women. Each section of the book begins with a chapter that reviews contemporary ideas regarding women as well as psychoanalytic history, gender bias and societal norms and deficits. Three clinical stories allow to discuss the contexts within which individual experience can be affected and the role that clinical work may have to mobilize and advance passion and vitality.