Gendered capital in psychotherapy: A thematic analysis of patients' experiences of the therapists' gender.
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| Title: | Gendered capital in psychotherapy: A thematic analysis of patients' experiences of the therapists' gender. |
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| Authors: | Schweitzer, Erwin, Schaffler, Yvonne, Jesser, Andrea, Probst, Thomas, Humer, Elke, Schigl, Brigitte |
| Source: | Counselling & Psychotherapy Research. Dec2024, Vol. 24 Issue 4, p1357-1367. 11p. |
| Subjects: | Gender role & psychology, Psychotherapy, Gender identity, Feminism, Qualitative research, Psychiatry, Interviewing, Sex distribution, Thematic analysis, Professions, Experience, Research methodology, Personality, Patients' attitudes, Professional competence |
| Geographic Terms: | Austria |
| Abstract: | Background: The impact of therapists' and patients' gender on therapy processes and outcomes remains a subject of intense debate in psychotherapy research. Aims: This article explores the role of gender in psychotherapy from the patients' perspective. Method: By conducting semi‐structured interviews with 20 patients undergoing individual psychotherapy in private practices in Austria, the influence of the therapist's gender was investigated. The data collected were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. Findings: The authors adopted a Bourdieusian feminist perspective to interpret the results, revealing that patients perceived female psychotherapists as possessing unique resources not found in male therapists. These resources encompassed knowledge, skills, traits perceived as 'female', and shared body and life experiences. Referred to as 'female gender capital', these resources influenced the preferences of most female and one male patient, leading them to favour female psychotherapists. Conclusion: Given the strong perceptions and preferences around gender observed in this study, gender identity and gendered practices should be critically reflected on by individual therapists as well as in psychotherapy training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Counselling & Psychotherapy Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: The impact of therapists' and patients' gender on therapy processes and outcomes remains a subject of intense debate in psychotherapy research. Aims: This article explores the role of gender in psychotherapy from the patients' perspective. Method: By conducting semi‐structured interviews with 20 patients undergoing individual psychotherapy in private practices in Austria, the influence of the therapist's gender was investigated. The data collected were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. Findings: The authors adopted a Bourdieusian feminist perspective to interpret the results, revealing that patients perceived female psychotherapists as possessing unique resources not found in male therapists. These resources encompassed knowledge, skills, traits perceived as 'female', and shared body and life experiences. Referred to as 'female gender capital', these resources influenced the preferences of most female and one male patient, leading them to favour female psychotherapists. Conclusion: Given the strong perceptions and preferences around gender observed in this study, gender identity and gendered practices should be critically reflected on by individual therapists as well as in psychotherapy training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 14733145 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/capr.12755 |
