Male and female therapists' responses to male and female client sexual material: An analogue study

This study investigated psychotherapists' verbal replies, affective reactions, and clinical judgments in response to audiotapes of client sexual material. The sample included 12 men and 12 women from each of the following categories: postresidency psychiatrists, Ph.D.-level clinical psychologists, and M.S.W.-level social workers. Each was presented with either a male or female case description, a photograph, and an audiotape of a client, who either discussed a mild sexual dysfunction or expressed sexual attraction to the therapist. Female therapists were more comfortable than males with client sexual material. Male therapists with liberal sexual attitudes were sexually aroused by, and verbally encouraged, the seductive female client. Conservative men were aroused by the female dysfunction tape but reacted with anxiety and verbal avoidance of the material. Therapists need more extensive and direct training in dealing with client sexual material.