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Client Experience of Gender in Therapeutic Relationships: An Interpretive Ethnography *
Author(s) -
Gehart Diane R.,
Lyle Randall R.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
family process
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.011
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1545-5300
pISSN - 0014-7370
DOI - 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2001.4040100443.x
Subject(s) - presentation (obstetrics) , psychology , therapeutic relationship , alliance , ethnography , psychotherapist , medical education , medicine , sociology , political science , anthropology , law , radiology
The purpose of this study was to explore clients' experiences of gender in therapeutic relationships in order to inform therapists of critical issues from clients' perspectives. To capture clients' views, the researchers chose an interpretive ethnographic design that used unstructured, collaborative interviews with clients who had worked with both female and male therapists. The interviews were analyzed using procedures developed by Kvale (1996), who emphasizes the importance of including the client's voice in data gathering, analysis, and final presentation. The results were reviewed with the clients to insure accurate presentation of their views. The final results were organized into six themes: client‐therapist connection, male therapists, female therapists, topics discussed, effectiveness, and confounding factors. Researchers discuss the implications of gender‐stereotyped behavior in therapy, the relationship between therapist gender and therapeutic alliance, and recommendations for practicing gender‐sensitive therapy.