We'd Like to Ask You Some Questions, But We Have to Find You First: An Internet-Based Study of Lesbian Clients in Therapy with Lesbian Feminist Therapists

Abstract

SUMMARY This paper explores some issues related to an Internet-based study dealing with lesbian clients' perceptions of their lesbian feminist therapists. A 60-item questionnaire was posted on a Web site so respondents could complete it online, submitting answers anonymously through a forwarding service. Respondents were recruited through postings to 20 listservs that focus on gay/lesbian/bisexual issues or the psychology of women. Data collection proceeded rapidly, with 182 responses within seven weeks. Results indicated that the therapist's sexual and philosophical orientation was important to the client, but that the clients tended to make assumptions about the latter. Specific activities typical of feminist therapy were often missing or were not recollected by clients. The advantages of using the Internet to draw a wide range of respondents is set against the problems of generalizability, the difficulty in communicating directly with respondents, and the sample bias inevitable in using self-identified volunteers who have Internet access.