Countertransference reactions to lesbian clients: The role of homophobia, counselor gender, and countertransference management.

This study examined (1) male and female counselors' countertransference (CTF) reactions to lesbian and heterosexual client actresses and (2) the role of counselor homophobia and CTF management ability in CTF reactions. 67 counselors viewed a videotaped client actress in 1 of 2 conditions: lesbian or heterosexual. The client discussed sexual problems within a stable relationship. Counselors responded to the taped client at 8 points. CTF, the dependent variable, was assessed at behavioral, affective, and cognitive levels. Contrary to prediction, counselors did not exhibit more CTF with a lesbian client. As hypothesized, (1) counselor homophobia correlated with counselor avoidance behavior in the lesbian condition and (2) female counselors had greater recall problems than did male counselors with the lesbian client, whereas male and female counselors had equivalent recall with the heterosexual client. CTF management ability was uncorrelated with CTF reactions in all but a few instances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)