An Investigation of Gender Bias in Selected Family Therapy Terms

The objective of this study was to examine mental §health professionals attitudes regarding health in §relation to gender. Traditional family therapy §theories in general have overlooked the social and §cultural context whereby men and women have unequal §power both politically and financially. The §therapeutic environment is not immune to potential §gender bias and in fact can inadvertently perpetuate §discriminatory practices. The nature of the client §therapist relationship is innately hierarchical and §may actually validate the oppressive practices §prevalent in our society. The purpose of this study §was to explore the perceptions of mental health §professionals in relation to health and gender. A §Semantic Differential tool was used to measure §attitudes of various target terms in this regard. As §therapists, we must have an awareness of gender role §issues in therapy and how such influences impinge on §both the client and ourselves.