Countertransference reactions to lesbian clients: The role of homophobia, counselor gender, and countertransference management.

Abstract

This study examined (a) male and female counselors' countertransference (CT) reactions to lesbian and heterosexual client actresses and (b) the role of counselor homophobia and CT management ability in CT reactions. Sixty-seven counselors viewed a videotaped client actress in 1 of 2 conditions : lesbian or heterosexual. The client discussed sexual problems within a stable relationship. Counselors responded to the taped client at 8 points. CT, the dependent variable, was assessed at behavioral, affective, and cognitive levels. Contrary to prediction, counselors did not exhibit more CT with a lesbian client. As hypothesized, (a) counselor homophobia correlated with counselor avoidance behavior in the lesbian condition and (b) female counselors had greater recall problems than male counselors with the lesbian client, whereas male and female counselors had equivalent recall with the heterosexual client. CT management ability was uncorrelated with CT reactions in all but a few instances.