Impressions of Psychotherapists' Offices

Autor/inn/en	Nasar, Jack L.; Devlin, Ann Sloan
Titel	Impressions of Psychotherapists' Offices
Quelle	In: Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58 (2011) 3, S.310-320 (11 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-0167
DOI	10.1037/a0023887
Schlagwörter	Counselor Client Relationship; Psychotherapy; Trust (Psychology); College Students; Student Attitudes; Correlation; Photography; Physical Environment; Gender Differences; Counselor Training; Counselor Characteristics; Offices (Facilities) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Psychotherapie; Collegestudent; Schülerverhalten; Korrelation; Fotografie; Natürliche Umwelt; Geschlechterkonflikt; Offices; Bürotechnik
Abstract	For counseling settings, research suggests that softness, personalization, and order might affect the experience and the perceived expertness, trustworthiness, and social attractiveness of the therapist. This article discusses exploratory studies on college students' perception of the counseling office environment and whether the likely client experience was associated with the softness/personalization and order of the office. As stimuli, the studies used 30 color photographs of psychotherapists' offices viewed from the client's perspective. After obtaining ratings of the characteristics of each office, we obtained ratings from different groups of students of the quality of care and comfort expected in each office (Study 1) and how qualified, bold, and friendly the therapist in the office would be (Study 2). Additional studies examined the likelihood of choosing a therapist based on the office, and the first thought or feeling that came to mind about the office, the therapist, and the patient experience. There were strong correlations in response between groups (by whether they had experienced therapy; their level in school; their gender; and their major, location, and school size). The quality of care, comfort, therapist boldness, qualifications of the therapist, and the likelihood that one would choose a therapist based on the office improved with increases in the office's softness/personalization and order. Friendliness improved with increases in softness/personalization. The office choices, open-ended responses, and reported reasons for the ratings confirmed the importance of softness (comfort) and order. Research should test longer term exposure and behavior. (Contains 1 figure, 4 tables, and 1 footnote.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10