Determining differences between therapists using an extended version of the facilitative interpersonal skills performance test.

Abstract

The therapist-facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) has shown to predict therapy outcomes, demonstrating that high FIS therapists are more effective than low FIS therapists. There is a need for more insight into the variability in strengths and weaknesses in therapist skills. This study investigates whether a revised and extended FIS-scoring leads to more differentiation in measuring therapists'interpersonal skills. Furthermore, we explorative examine whether subgroups of therapists can be distinguished in terms of differences in their interpersonal responses. Using secondary data analysis, 93 therapists were exposed to seven FIS-clips. Responses of therapists using the original and the extended FIS scoring were rated. Three factors were found on the extended FIS scoring distinguishing supportive, expressive, and persuasive interpersonal responses of therapists. A latent profile analysis enlightened the presence of six subgroups of therapists. Using the revised and extended FIS-scoring contributes to our understanding of the role of interpersonal skills in the therapeutic setting by unraveling the question what works for whom.