Therapist and client: Two views of the process and outcome of psychotherapy

Abstract

At termination of their therapeutic relationships, 8 male and 7 female therapists (aged 26-59 yrs) along with their 38 male and 37 female clients (aged 19-40 yrs) each independently and anonymously completed a questionnaire concerning the process and efficacy of therapy. Unlike previous findings, the clients rated therapeutic outcome more favorably than did their therapists. In addition, each group attributed the change to different aspects of the therapeutic relationship. Both the aspects cited and the ratings differed as a function of the sex of both therapist and client. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1978 American Psychological Association.