Female or male therapists for women with eating disorders? A pilot study of experts' opinions.

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.