THERAPIST SEX, STYLE, AND THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

Abstract

Self-report questionnaires of rated in-therapy behaviors, demographic characteristics, and theoretical ascriptions were analyzed for 86 therapists (47 males and 39 females) with diverse backgrounds and experience levels. “Style” factors obtained for this sample were compared with those from a previous sample of predominantly male therapists. The results indicated: a) a relatively consistent set of style factors relating to self-reported in-therapy behaviors emerging from the two therapist samples; b) significant style differences between male and female therapists—women therapists report themselves to be more varying in their therapy behavior, less “anonymous” in therapy, and more judgmental; c) experienced therapists are more oriented toward historical material, show more varied in-therapy behavior, and place more emphasis on feelings than inexperienced therapists; and d) the theoretical orientation of the therapist is related to differences in self-reported in-therapy behaviors, along somewhat stereotyped lines. In addition, co-therapists in the sample described the in-therapy behavior of each other. Using this procedure, evidence was obtained for the generalizability of self-reported to other-described in-therapy behaviors.