Therapy Outcomes: Client Perception and Similarity with Therapist View

Abstract

This study examined clients' perceptions of therapy outcome and how those perceptions related to therapist views. Additionally, the effects of client and therapist gender and ethnicity, and the match on these variables (e.g., female therapist-female client) were examined. Results showed that clients generally improved from both the client and therapist perceptions, although therapists' views were influenced by client ethnicity. There was no difference between gender or ethnicity matches on perception of outcome. Further examination showed that gender and ethnicity interacted to influence both client and therapist perceptions of outcome. The authors discuss the research and practice implications of these findings.