Research fails to demonstrate that gender matching leads to improved
outcomes and Gender matching does not decrease dropout.

Effect of therapist gender on outcome and process in general psychotherapy

Families made more structuring or directive statements toward male therapists but more openly disagreed with each other in front of females.

Effect of therapist gender on outcome and process in couples and family therapy

Outcomes do not differ based on client sex, and that client gender is an inconsistent predictor of dropping out of treatment prematurely.

Effect of client gender on outcome and process in general psychotherapy

Both male and female therapists interrupted female clients three times more often than males

Effect of client gender on outcome and process in couple and family therapy

* Effect of therapist gender on outcome and process in general psychotherapy
* Effect of therapist gender on outcome and process in couples and family therapy
* Effect of client gender on outcome and process in general psychotherapy
* Effect of client gender on outcome and process in couple and family therapy

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

* Potential reasons why clients seek therapists of a certain gender
* Does therapist gender matter?
* Practice implications
* Therapist development/Training/Supervision

Gender matching in therapy

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
* "Just because"
* Unconscious reasons
* Gender bias

Potential reasons why clients seek therapists of a certain gender

Does therapist gender matter?

Although research shows that therapist gender has minimal effects on therapeutic outcomes, client preference should be taken into consideration when possible. 

Practice implications

* More training on the topic of gender
* Do not assume that nothing can be done
* Reflect upon their own thoughts and beliefs

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Related

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