Some clients may seek therapists of a certain gender because of common experiences. Or they might not want a specific gender because of past traumatic experience. 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

* Client comfort
* "Just because"
* Unconscious reasons
* Gender bias

Potential reasons why clients seek therapists of a certain gender

Blow, A. J., Timm, T. M., & Cox, R. (2008). The role of the therapist in therapeutic change: Does therapist gender matter?. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 20(1), 66-86. https://doi.org/10.1080/0895280801907150

The Role of the Therapist in Therapeutic Change: Does Therapist Gender Matter?

Client comfort

An intake coordinator might believe that a client would naturally be more comfortable with a same gender therapist

"Just because"

There might be the assumption that a male is innately more analytical, or that a female is instinctively more compassionate. 

Gender bias

A female may select a male therapist because she feels confident that she can control the situation by using her sexuality to feel "powerful" in therapy.

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