G Waller1, M A Katzman. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, England.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the client and clinician characteristics associated with choosing a male or a female therapist for eating-disordered individuals. METHOD: Participants were 27 clinicians who worked in the field of eating disorders. They were asked to judge whether they would be more likely to recommend a male or a female therapist for an adolescent client presenting with eating problems, given different clinical features. RESULTS: Considering the group as a whole, the client characteristics that were associated with a preference for a female therapist included a history of paternal sexual abuse, body image issues, and an overprotective mother. The recommendation of a female therapist was more likely if the participants were older, and less likely if they were medically qualified. However, duration of experience with eating-disordered patients was not a relevant factor. DISCUSSION: Future research into the appropriateness of male or female therapists for eating-disordered clients should attend to the complex contribution of both therapists' and clients' characteristics.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the client and clinician characteristics associated with choosing a male or a female therapist for eating-disordered individuals. METHOD:Participants were 27 clinicians who worked in the field of eating disorders. They were asked to judge whether they would be more likely to recommend a male or a female therapist for an adolescent client presenting with eating problems, given different clinical features. RESULTS: Considering the group as a whole, the client characteristics that were associated with a preference for a female therapist included a history of paternal sexual abuse, body image issues, and an overprotective mother. The recommendation of a female therapist was more likely if the participants were older, and less likely if they were medically qualified. However, duration of experience with eating-disorderedpatients was not a relevant factor. DISCUSSION: Future research into the appropriateness of male or female therapists for eating-disordered clients should attend to the complex contribution of both therapists' and clients' characteristics.
Authors: Dana A Satir; Heather Thompson-Brenner; Christina L Boisseau; Michele A Crisafulli Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 4.861