If you were going to talk with a councillor would it matter to you . .

[Rose in BC]

if the councilor was a man or woman? (What I mean is if you are a woman would you want to speak with a woman or would you even care?)

[Desert Strawberry]

I tend to relate better to women, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at a man if he was a good fit for me.

[Parrothead]

No, I'd want good or great over sex, race or religion.

[smilesonly]

I've seen plenty of both:tongue_smilie:and prefer women, with the exception of an older man. The only male counselor I liked was around my dad's age(late 60's), and during that time I needed more of a male perspective to deal with some marital issues.:)

[Mrs Mungo]

Personality fit would be a more important factor for me. I'd probably rather have a man because they are (statistically) less likely to be an S.

[coffeefreak]

Not me. It has to be a woman or I won't go. I'm the same way with Drs that I have to take my clothes off for. If I have to I will see a male Dr, but it's only because there's no one else to see and I have to be seen.

[WishboneDawn]

I've visited two people for councilling (one was a psychologist) in the past 12 months (grief issues) and both were women. I got along with both but it wasn't until I went to the second, the psychologist, that I was really challenged (and challenged was the word. I sometimes heard things I didn't like) and made real progress. I'm not sure the gender would have as much to do with it as the councilor's experience, training and personality.

[melissel]

I'd rather speak to a woman, but I don't think it would be impossible to find a male counselor I liked.

 

:iagree:

[Pamela H in Texas]

Well, I have a psychologist (active, not really "talk," therapy). I wouldn't trade him for all the gold in the world!

 

I would think the KIND of counselor matters more than the gender. I wouldn't be comfy with navel gazing forever as many therapists seem to encourage. Talking is, no doubt, necessary; but.... I really think a male would be best for me for a variety of reasons and yet I can imagine that usually I'd have trouble finding one I wasn't intimidated by, didn't think was going to hurt me, could stand, etc. I just can't imagine ever finding a woman who I felt would work even though finding a male would be so challenging.

 

I'm just hoping my psychologist never retires. He's not particularly old, but he's already pared down his practice considerably. And he really has, in my case, practically worked himself out of a job. Sometimes (like tomorrow), I go for a tune up of sorts...a couple sessions just to make sure I'm using all the skills and tools I can to handle things that are going on. And really, by the time I get to the appointment, I've usually done most of the work. But I'm gonna go anyway :)

 

Ideally, imo, a therapist should be working themselves out of a job.

[texasmama]

I prefer a woman because the cross gender issues don't come into play. I would go see a man, though, if he was a good fit for me.

[Joanne]

No. Education, training, speciality/emphasis, clinical orientation are important to me.

 

Family/parenting orientation is primary (I have specifics I'd have to be in line with). I'd also expect a certain orienation in terms of recovery from substance abuse, abuse, trauma.

[Impish]

Personality fit would be a more important factor for me. I'd probably rather have a man because they are (statistically) less likely to be an S.

S?

 

Personally, I prefer a male. For whatever reason, I just seem to work better with them.

 

My current psychologist, whose been helping me to deal with my disability is male and Christian. I feel very fortunate.

[Audrey]

Personality fit would be a more important factor for me.

 

Yes. This.

[Mrs Mungo]

S?

 

Well, I should say "S/F," as in Sensing and Feeling, as opposed to iNtuitive/Thinking. It's a Myers-Briggs thing.