Perceived effects of therapist self-disclosure of attraction to clients

Psychotherapists (60 female, 60 male), 80% of whom were psychologists, responded to one of two 8.5-min segments of a simulated therapy session in which the client disclosed sexual attraction toward the psychologist. The therapist either was noncommittal about his or her own feelings or disclosed that attraction to the client while also indicating they would not act on their mutual feelings. The depicted therapist-client configuration was either male-female or female-male. The self-disclosing condition was rated as less therapeutic for the client, and the psychologist offering it was rated as less expert. Women therapists were perceived as more expert, regardless of condition.