The Effects of Counselor Fee and Title on Perceptions of Counselor Behavior

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a counselor's fee level and title on perceptions of counselor behavior. Three levels of fee were compared: high fee, low fee, and sliding scale; and two levels of title were compared: counseling psychologist versus professional counselor. Sixty female undergraduate participants rated the credibility, attractiveness, and effectiveness of a counselor after observing her in a brief videotaped counseling simulation and reading a background description of her. The results indicate that fee level significantly affected the perceptions of counselor credibility, attractiveness, expertness, and overall counselor behavior. Title had no significant effect on perceptions of counselor behavior. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed, and areas requiring future research are suggested.