Therapy outcome and the therapeutic alliance in relation to gender matching and countertransference

Abstract

This longitudinal study investigated the effect of gender matching and countertransference on therapy outcome and therapeutic alliance. Patients (N = 97) were divided into a gender matched (n = 51) and non-gender matched (n = 46) condition. No effect of gender matching on therapy outcome and the therapeutic alliance was expected and a negative correlation between countertransference and therapy outcome and therapeutic alliance. Finally, no effect of gender matching on therapy outcome, and the therapeutic alliance was expected after controlling for countertransference. The Outcome Ratine Scale (ORS) was administered by patients at every appointment to measure therapy outcome, and the Session Rating Scale to measure therapeutic alliance. Therapists filled out the Interpersonal Circumplex (IMI-C) after each patient-therapist contact to measure countertransference. The results suggested gender matching had no effect on therapy outcome and the therapeutic alliance. This finding remained after adding countertransference as a covariate. Countertransference did not correlate with therapy outcome and therapeutic alliance and no correlations between all variables were found. In future research therapists’ variables, as therapy orientation and years of experience should be included. In conclusion this study suggests no particular match on gender appears to be detrimental to therapy outcome and development of the therapeutic alliance, even under the influence of countertransference. In clinical practice this means that patients can be allocated to therapists, regardless of gender, without harming therapy outcome and the therapeutic alliance.