Personality of the therapist and theoretical orientation

This study examined the relationship between therapist personality and theoretical orientation from the perspective of the Five-Factor Model of personality. Forty-one psychotherapists completed the NEO-PI-R and ratings of theoretical orientation. Results revealed a significant relationship between theoretical orientation and certain NEO-PI-R domains and related facet scores. The Cognitive orientation was significantly related to the Agreeableness Domain and the associated facets of Straightforwardness and Altruism. The Humanistic and Gestalt orientations were significantly related to the domain of Openness and the facet of Openness to Fantasy. The Humanistic orientation was also significantly related to the Openness to Action facet. In addition, gender differences were noted in NEO-PH-R profiles, but not theoretical orientation.