Race, Gender, and Therapist Confidence: Effects on Satisfaction With the Therapeutic Relationship in MFT

Researchers have yet to clarify what factors most strongly shape the quality of the psychotherapeutic relationship. This study investigated the effects of race match, gender match, and perceptions of therapists’ confidence on both clients’ and therapists’ satisfaction with the therapeutic relationship. Marriage and family therapists and clients at a teaching clinic in New York state were surveyed after the fourth session. Clients were significantly more satisfied with the therapeutic relationship (p < .05) when paired with therapists of the same gender. Both clients and therapists were more satisfied (p < .001) when they had similar perceptions of therapist confidence. Implications for training are discussed.