Matching client and therapist ethnicity, language, and gender: a review of research

The purpose of this article is to examine whether therapy process and outcome are influenced by a client-therapist ethnicity, language, or gender match. A review of research in this area does not demonstrate support for a client-therapist match on any of these variables. The methodological problems and unresolved conceptual issues involved in this research may limit the findings. The ethical and political context of the research and the implications for mental health nursing are explored.