The sex of the counselor was not the significant contributor that one might expect. Male therapists were just as effective as female therapists in the study.

Effect of therapist gender on sexually abused girls

* Female therapists held more positive attitudes toward all clients than male therapists did. 
* Female therapists considered clients stronger and more active than male therapists did.
 *Female therapists rate clients as less responsible for the cause of their problems than males. 
* Female therapists expected greater improvement in problem areas, whereas male therapists anticipated more difficulties during treatment. 
* Female therapists expressed greater interest in working with clients, and male therapists reported greater comfort in working with clients.

Female therapists vs. male therapists

If clients respond more positively to a female therapist early on in treatment, this might influence the entire course of treatment.

Positive response

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

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

* 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

Does therapist gender matter?

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?

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

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