Abstract
Clients' and therapists' within-session experiences of relational connection were investigated using an analogue design. Eighty "therapist-client" dyads rated, on a minute-by-minute basis, their levels of connection to the other over a 20 minute counselling session. Therapists' and clients' feelings of connection increased over time with a negatively accelerating curve. Clients experienced a greater increase in feelings of connection with therapists that they perceived as less anxious; while older therapists, and therapists who believed they were perceived as more agreeable, experienced a deeper connection. Clients' and therapists' perception of connection were significantly associated, with a median within-dyad correlation of .76.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 274-88 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Psychotherapy Research |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Anxiety
- Attitude of Health Personnel
- Counseling
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Patient Satisfaction
- Professional-Patient Relations
- Psychotherapy
- Time Factors