The Counselor-Client Relationship

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes several studies regarding the influence of gender on the counselor - client relationship. In particular, the studies draw attention to the importance of looking at gender in the counselor-client relationship and its impact on behavior change. In particular, the author uses the stages of changes of the transtheoretical model to explore the ability of a client to change. The theory is described at length and according to its various stages. The paper concludes with a consideration of male psychotherapy clients and their perceptions and willingness to change.

From the Paper:

"Research studies with respect to gender in counseling vis-a-vis the impact of a counselor's gender in a client's ability to change have been sparse and equivocal showing a need for further research in the area. Of the studies that have been done with respect to the impact of gender in counseling focused on matching counselor and client based on a number of variables such as ethnicity, gender, and language (Hall, Guterman, et al., 2002). Such studies usually focused on only one ethnic group. Some studies focused clients' preference for specific counselor characteristics. Other studies focused on predicting client expectations in counseling (Robitschek & Hershberger, 2005). There have also been studies investigating the interaction of male clients' characteristics and male counselors' gender role conflict as a basis for counselor bias (Wisch, 1997). Wisch (1997) noted a number of theoretical works that point to the significance of a counselor's gender as a potential influence on the counseling process."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Giovazolias, T. and Davis, P. (2005). Matching Therapeutic Interventions to Drug and Alcohol Abusers' Stage of Motivation: The Clients' Perspective. Counselling Pyschology Quarterly. Vol. 18 Issue 3: 171-182
• Hall, J., Guterman, D. K., Lee, H., and Little, S. (2002). Counselor-Client Matching on Ethnicity, Gender, and Language: Implications for Counseling School-aged Children. North American Journal of Psychology. Vol. 4, Issue 3
• Harwood, I. (2003). Creative Use of Gender While Addressing Early Attachment, Trauma, and Cross-Cultural Issues in a Cotherapy Group. Psychoanalytic Inquiry. Vol. 23 Issue 5: 697-712
• McCarthy, J., and Holliday, E. (2004). Help-Seeking and Counseling Within a Traditional Male Gender Role: An Examination From a Multicultural Perspective. Journal of Counseling & Development. Vol. 82 Issue 1: 25-30.
• Miville, M., Carlozzi, F., Gushue, G., Schara, S., and Ueda, M. (2006). Mental Health Counselor Qualities for a Diverse Clientele: Linking Empathy, Universal-Diverse Orientation, and Emotional Intelligence. Journal of Mental Health Counseling. Vol. 28 Issue 2:151-165

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