Characteristics of female clients that influence preference for the socially intimate and nonintimate female psychotherapists.
This study documented the relationship among various client characteristics and client preference for therapists who exhibit intimate and nonintimate therapy styles. Seventy-five female college students were administered in random order measures to assess their levels of social intimacy, sex role type, locus of control, therapy expectancy, and authoritarianism. The participants then watched in random order of presentation the audiovisual recordings of first therapy sessions that reflected intimate and nonintimate therapy styles. After each tape was presented, the participants completed a measure to assess their perceptions of the therapeutic relationship and a preference form. Results show that the socially intimate women have a preference for the intimate therapist. Results also show that women expect the therapist to exhibit intimate behaviors and that those who prefer this type of therapist perceive her as possessing significantly higher levels of intimacy, regard, empathy, and unconditional acceptance.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001318:Authoritarianism; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D007389:Internal-External Control; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations