Looking for Myself: A Qualitative Study of Choice Homophily in Psychotherapy

Abstract

Although homophily is a widely studied phenomenon, less is known about how choice homophily forms at the micro level. Leveraging identity theory, this article uses qualitative methods to trace a four-stage process of identity matching within the case site of psychotherapy. Drawing from 90 interviews with therapists and 30 interviews with clients of therapy, I show how client and therapist (1) make salient certain identity meanings and (2) attempt an initial identity verification. Then, as client and therapist enter the therapy room, they (3) negotiate this perceived identity verification toward an identity match. This process generates safety and trust and leads to a final stage in which therapist and client (4) deepen their identity-based connections and generate satisfaction by mutually enacting their shared identities. I conclude by proposing a spectrum of homophily from thin homophily to thick homophily.