Three Aspects of the Therapeutic Conversation in Couples Therapy Does Gender Make a Difference?

• Published in: Journal of couple & relationship therapy Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 5 - 23
• Main Authors: Haddock, Shelley A., Lyness, Kevin P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2002
• Subjects: "Master Therapists"; Client Relations; Conjoint Therapy; Conversation; conversation analysis; Gender; Sex Differences; Sex Stereotypes; therapeutic relationship process; Treatment Methods
• ISSN: 1533-2691; 1533-2683
• DOI: 10.1300/J398v01n01_02

Feminist scholars have revealed the importance of examining the influence of gender on the therapeutic process. Gender differences in the treatment of clients may reveal inequitable or traditionally Stereotypie treatment of clients by therapists. This study examined gender differences in three conversational strategies widely used by therapists: expressions of empathy or understanding, compliments or praise, and challenges or requests for change. Fourteen tapes of live therapy sessions conducted by "master" therapists were examined using an exploratory, qualitative methodology based on Conversation Analysis. Results of this exploration revealed that therapists who are not self identified as "feminist challenged female clients more than male clients, and complimented male clients more than female clients. Feminist therapists challenged male clients more than female clients, and complimented female clients more than male clients. Feminist therapists used more challenges designed to facilitate non-stereo-typic gender behavior in both male and female clients. Only male therapists used disrespectful challenges of female clients, and were more often disrespectful to female clients than to male clients. Implications for the therapist-client relationship and the feminist critique are provided.