Issues and guidelines for the male therapist-female patient dyad

Abstract

Current research on male therapists' perceptions of and attitudes toward female clients is reviewed. It is concluded that male mental health professionals continue to hold negative and pathogenic stereotypes of women presenting for treatment. Results of several recent psychotherapy studies reveal that female clients treated by male therapists are less likely to improve and are more likely to deteriorate than when treated by female therapists. With this information as a foundation, guidelines for male therapists treating female clients are presented. It is hoped that by following these guidelines, male mental health professionals can be more effective in their therapeutic work with women.