This study modifies and expands on earlier research in an effort to incorporate an examination of consultant's sex as an instrumental dimension in determining children's and adolescents' consultant preferences. It was hypothesized that: (1) children would prefer same-sex consultants, and this preference would continue for female adolescents; (2) if sex preferences reflected perceived differences in socialization functions, adolescent males would not demonstrate a same-sex bias; (3) peer preferences would increase with age; and (4) although children's preference for adult consultants would decrease with age, adults would remain viable consultants. Subjects, 241 males and females at ages 8, 11, 14, and 17 years in Toronto, Ontario, completed questionnaires that described five hypothetical problem situations. Subjects rated their preferences for 12 categories of consultants. The categories crossed three dimensions: age (peer, three years older, and adult); familiarity (familiar versus expert); and sex. As predicted, results revealed that male and female children preferred same-sex consultants, and this preference continued for adolescent females, but not males. Other findings demonstrated the importance of peer expert consultants and indicated that consultants who were three years older, while valued, are never the most preferred category. The findings address the importance of peer counseling programs and stress the need for female practitioners for female clients. (GLR)