| Abstract: | Investigated some relationships between the verbal behavior of 20 experienced therapists and their therapist effectiveness. Forced oral responses to a taped therapy interaction were obtained and analyzed. Each dependent variable (empathy, positive regard, genuineness, functional level, voice quality, freshness of words, change of topic, confrontation style, personal references, and statements) was correlated against a rating of a therapist's effectiveness made by experienced judges using the Truax-Carkhuff scales. Of 10 hypotheses, 5 were supported. The more effective the experienced therapist, the higher the levels of offered empathy, positive regard, and genuineness, and the more likely the therapist was to use "inner focus" and "experiential confrontation." Variables of number of years of experience and level of empathy were investigated further. Findings and their implications are discussed. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
