Clients' perceptions and evaluations of similarities to and differences from their counselors

Forty-seven community mental health clients were asked in an open-ended format to describe the ways in which they were similar to and different from their counselors; rate how significantly these similarities and differences affected the counseling relationship; and categorize the type of effect on the counseling relationship as being either good, bad, or neutral. Results revealed that personality traits were most frequently cited as similarities. Demographic variables and personality traits were most frequently cited as differences. Both similarities and differences were rated as having primarily positive effects on the counseling relationship, with similarities having a stronger perceived impact on the relationship than differences. Methodological considerations for exploring personality-trait and demographic similarities and differences between counselors and clients are discussed.