Influence of gender and therapy type on the perceived effectiveness of therapists.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of counselor gender, participant gender, and type of therapy on the perceived effectiveness of therapists. Participants were 110 male and female college students from a southern university. Participants were given one of four possible therapy scenarios to read and then evaluate using the Therapist Effectiveness Questionnaire. The scenarios differed in treatment type (cognitive-behavioral vs. client-centered) and therapist gender (male Results indicated no interaction effects between vs. female). Results indicated no interactions effects between therapy type, gender of therapist and gender of participant. However, rated therapists significantly higher on trustworthiness than did men and all participants rated client-centered therapists as more understanding than cognitive-behavioral therapists.