Our two newest clinicians, Dr. David DiSabato and Dr. Juan Caraballo-Soto, are absolutely amazing clinicians who I am so happy have joined us. They also happen to be male. I did not anticipate potential clients or their families having issues seeing a male. Research shows that the gender of the clinician has a negligible effect on therapeutic outcomes. The National Institute of Health defines the therapeutic alliance as “the cooperative and trusting relationship between a therapist and a client.” That therapeutic alliance is the largest indicator of a positive therapy outcome. The most significant factor that leads to a strong alliance is therapist empathy and interpersonal relationship skills. After about two sessions, clients and families can tell if empathy is there or not. The other factor is alignment between the client and clinician in terms of treatment goals. We create treatment plans with clients to empower them and ensure mutual goal alignment.
What potential clients have said is that a clinician of the opposite gender will not understand what they are going through. That assumes that only someone of the same gender or has similar experiences will understand what they are going through. I think about my OB/GYN for my two pregnancies. She did not have any children of her own, yet fully understood what I was going through, was empathetic, and provided excellent care. Over the years, some of our best child clinicians have not had children of their own, yet are amazing and loved by the families they work with. Trauma survivors often initially report feeling unsafe with a clinician of the opposite gender. Research shows that at first that can affect retention but, in the end, the effects of gender are negligible for clients who remain in treatment.
Adults tend to be more willing to give an opposite gender clinician a chance than parents seem to be. A parents’ most important job is to keep their children safe. Acknowledging when they need help is brave and selfless. Parents of boys often want a male clinician, and parents of girls want a female clinician. I understand their concern about who is going to work with their child. I encourage parents to sit down with the clinician and interview them as much as they are interviewing you at the first appointment. You could even ask to talk with the clinician prior to bringing in your child. I think you will see how empathetic and caring the clinician is, regardless of their gender. Do not let assumptions about gender affect your ability to get help for yourself or a loved one. Give a clinician a chance; you might be surprised.