Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of interpersonal coordination (i.e., covariation over time) in different modalities (e.g., physiology, language) during psychotherapy and their importance for understanding the dynamics of psychotherapeutic interaction and efficacy.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of all studies examining some form of interpersonal coordination in a psychotherapeutic context.ResultsWe first summarize details of the included studies such as gender composition, therapy types, and methods used. The collation of these studies provided evidence that, during psychotherapeutic contexts, interpersonal coordination occurs in physiology, movements, interpersonal displays, and language/vocalizations. Further, it also showed that movement coordination was most frequently associated with psychotherapy outcomes, physiological coordination was most frequently associated with empathy, and coordination in a variety of modalities including language/vocalizations were most frequently associated with therapeutic alliance.ConclusionsWe discuss these results, shortcomings with the current literature, and highlight three crucial questions for future research. Research on interpersonal coordination in psychotherapy has potential to advance the both the research and practice of psychotherapy.
Highlights
Psychotherapy has been described as one of the most complex bio-psycho-social systems in which patterns of language, cognition, and emotion are formed and changed through the dynamics of therapist and patient interactions (Gelo and Salvatore 2016; Schiepek et al 1992)
The results of our systematic review are framed as follows: (1) we first provide descriptive summaries of the studies to contextualize the included studies, and (2) we present the results in terms of how interpersonal coordination in the variety of observed modalities was linked to psychotherapy outcomes, processes, as well as other measures and modalities
We found that interpersonal coordination in physiology, bodily movements, interpersonal processes, and language/speech patterns have been observed in a variety of psychotherapy contexts and further, that coordination in these modalities is related to important psychotherapeutic outcomes such as reduction in symptomatology and dropout as well as reports of therapeutic alliance and empathy
Summary
Psychotherapy has been described as one of the most complex bio-psycho-social systems in which patterns of language, cognition, and emotion are formed and changed through the dynamics of therapist and patient interactions (Gelo and Salvatore 2016; Schiepek et al 1992). Cognitive Therapy and Research (2020) 44:752–773 bodily movements (e.g., Ramseyer and Tschacher 2011), and physiology (e.g., Marci et al 2007) between patient and therapist have all been linked to important therapeutic processes and outcomes. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of interpersonal coordination (i.e., covariation over time) in different modalities (e.g., physiology, language) during psychotherapy and their importance for understanding the dynamics of psychotherapeutic interaction and efficacy. Results We first summarize details of the included studies such as gender composition, therapy types, and methods used. The collation of these studies provided evidence that, during psychotherapeutic contexts, interpersonal coordination occurs in physiology, movements, interpersonal displays, and language/vocalizations. Research on interpersonal coordination in psychotherapy has potential to advance the both the research and practice of psychotherapy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
