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Therapist-client five-factor personality similarity: a brief report
1Graduate School of Social Work, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207, USA. dcoleman@pdx.edu
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic
|September 20, 2006
Summary
Personality similarity between therapists and clients, along with lower client neuroticism, correlated with better treatment outcomes. Matching personalities may reduce premature therapy terminations and improve results.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Therapist-client relationship is crucial for treatment success.
- Personality factors may influence therapeutic outcomes and alliance.
- Limited research exists on the impact of personality similarity in therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between therapist-client personality similarity and treatment outcomes.
- To explore the role of client personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion) in therapy.
- To examine the relationship between personality similarity and therapeutic alliance.
Main Methods:
- Administered a five-factor personality inventory and other measures.
- Collected data from 39 clients and 15 therapists.
- Analyzed associations between personality similarity, client traits, symptoms, and alliance.
Main Results:
- Global therapist-client personality similarity and client neuroticism were linked to reduced symptoms.
- For female clients, personality similarity and extraversion were associated with a stronger therapeutic alliance.
- Preliminary findings suggest personality matching may be beneficial.
Conclusions:
- Therapist-client personality similarity and specific client traits show potential for improving psychosocial treatment outcomes.
- Further research is needed to validate these preliminary findings.
- Intake personality matching could be a strategy to decrease premature treatment terminations and enhance effectiveness.
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