Client and therapist agreement in moment‐to‐moment helpfulness ratings in psychotherapy: A microprocess approach. Issue 1 (17th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Penix, Elizabeth A.; Swift, Joshua K.; Russell, Kelley A.; Trusty, Wilson T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 77:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2020-07-17
• Subjects: agreement -- congruence -- discrepancy -- helpful and hindering events -- microprocess -- psychotherapy -- therapeutic alliance; Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

Abstract: Method: Clients ( n = 16; M age = 32.88 years; 81% female) and their therapists ( n = 10; 80% female) from a training clinic provided moment‐to‐moment ratings while reviewing a video recording of a recent session. West and Kenny's Truth‐and‐Bias (T&B) model was used to examine agreement in ratings. Multilevel modeling was used to evaluate the agreement‐alliance association while controlling for sessions completed. Results: Consistent with the T&B model, client–therapist ratings were temporally congruent and were not discrepant overall. Greater congruence and smaller discrepancies were linked with stronger alliances. Conclusions: The within‐session and between‐dyad variability in helpfulness ratings highlight the utility of moment‐to‐moment rating methods. Findings suggest that therapists should attune to client perceptions on a within‐session level and attunement may be a target for enhancing the alliance.