FEMALE OR MALE THERAPISTS FOR WOMEN WITH EATING DISORDERS - A PILOT-STUDY OF EXPERTS OPINIONS

Objective: This study assessed the client and clinician characteristic s associated with choosing a male or a female therapist for eating-dis ordered individuals. Method: Participants were 27 clinicians who worke d in the field of eating disorders. They were asked to judge whether t hey 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 cli ent characteristics that were associated with a preference for a femal e therapist included a history oi paternal sexual abuse, body image is sues, and an overprotective mother. The recommendation of a female the rapist was more likely ii 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: Fut ure research into the appropriateness oi male or female therapists for eating-disordered clients should attend to the complex contribution o f both therapists' and clients' characteristics. (C) 1998 by John Wile y & Sons, Inc.