Client Preference for Counselor Gender

Abstract

This article presents the results of an investigation of male and female clients' expressed preferences for gender of their counselor. The study addressed two major comparisons: clients with a preference for therapist gender versus those without a preference, and clients with a preference for a male therapist versus those with a preference for a female therapist. LOGIT analyses indicate significant relationships among sex of the client, sex of the intake counselor, whether or not clients express a preference, and whether they express a preference for a male or female counselor. Results also suggest an influence of the sex of the intake counselor. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for counseling and research activities.

The attitudes toward massage (ATOM) scale: Reliability, validity, and associated findings

“…The finding that people generally prefer a female massage therapist may reflect the stereotypes by which we tend to think of women as more sensitive, caring, and nurturant than men, and parallels the finding that people generally prefer female therapists for talk therapies (Kaplan, 1996;Stamler et al, 1991), though in the case of massage there is probably more than just these stereotypes to be considered. In particular, the observations that men's preference for female massage therapists is very strong, while their comfort receiving massage from a man is often not very high, probably reflect socially reinforced sex roles related to touching.…”

Factors Affecting the Perceived Helpfulness of Therapy with Stepfamilies

“…In an examination of clients' preferences among therapists of different sexes and gender-role orientations, McKinnon (1990) found that clients value both expressive and instrumental traits in descriptions of therapists, rating masculine men most highly, followed by androgynous women. Recent studies that indicate preferences for female therapists may mean that the prospective clients' definition of competence has expanded to include the value of empathy (Stamler et al, 1991). This may be especially true for female clients who were most likely to express a preference for the therapist by his or her sex and to express a preference for a female therapist (Stamler et al, 1991).…”

“…Recent studies that indicate preferences for female therapists may mean that the prospective clients' definition of competence has expanded to include the value of empathy (Stamler et al, 1991). This may be especially true for female clients who were most likely to express a preference for the therapist by his or her sex and to express a preference for a female therapist (Stamler et al, 1991).…”

“…The extant literature on gender issues and therapy is limited to a preponderance of analogue studies, the use of nonclinical populations, and results that are mixed or inconclusive (Stamler, Christiansen, & Macagno-Shang, 1991). Furthermore, beyond the few studies that used clinical samples (see a review by Nelson, 1993), no study focused on the effects of therapy with special populations such as stepfamilies.…”

“…In the context of therapy, gender refers to the sociocultural factors associated with the sex of the therapist and/or the sex of the client (Stamler, Christiansen, Staley, & Macagno-Shang, 1991). A central concern is the effects of the gender of the client and/or therapist on clients' perception of the effectiveness of the therapeutic process.…”