How helpful are the helpers? A review of sexist helping practices and competencies needed by helpers of women

Gender-fair psychotherapy in the United States: A possible dream?

“…Male counselors surveyed demonstrated greater sex bias, whether by word or deed, and more restricted traditional occupational role conceptualization when working with or talking about female clients (Nickerson, 1978). More recent evidence indicates that both male and female therapists are able to view women and their potentiality in a less stereotypic manner (Heatherington, et al, 1986;O'Malley and Richardson, 1985).…”

“…This research and the supporting documentation of the eighties have propelled professional psychological organizations concerned with training to mandate specialized training and education in gender-related issues. One would expect, then, some changes in the delivery of gender-fair counseling and services for both men and women to be more evident (Davidson & Abramovitz, 1980;Nickerson, 1978Nickerson, , 1981Nickerson, , 1986). One of the major assumptions underlying much of the research of the seventies was that women were inappropriately treated by mental health professionals because of sexist attitudes and practices in diagnosis, referral and treatment.…”

“…Several studies and critiques of studies through the seventies have acknowledged stereotypic views and biases against women on the part of helping professionals (Nickerson, 1978(Nickerson, , 1981(Nickerson, and 1986Whiteley, 1979) with males generally exhibiting greater sex bias and biased counseling styles (Estes, 1980;Nickerson, 1978). Male counselors surveyed demonstrated greater sex bias, whether by word or deed, and more restricted traditional occupational role conceptualization when working with or talking about female clients (Nickerson, 1978).…”

“…Professionals involved in the mental health treatment of women have been charged by some with not being helpful to women by abetting the maintenance of a second-class, dependent and minority-like status for women (Chesler, 1971(Chesler, , 1972Nickerson, 1978). Perhaps some of the most damaging evidence of this assertion emerged from the report of the APA Task Force on Sex Bias and Sex Role Stereotyping in Psychotherapeutic Practice (Suber, 1975) which documented sex bias in: 1. fostering of traditional sex roles; 2. expectations and devaluations of women;…”

The Use of Support Groups to Raise Self-Esteem for Women Clients

“…L4. 25 Two specific criticisms are the perpetuation of sex roles in counseling and the communication of nontherapeutic values to the client.…”