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. 

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.

An example of unconscious reason

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

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?

Potential reasons why clients seek therapists of a certain gender

* 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?

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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