Client Affect Research Articles

Understanding the role of emotion and expertise in psychotherapy: An application of dynamical systems mathematical modeling to an entire course of therapy.

The therapeutic relationship continues to be one of the most important factors in therapeutic outcomes. Given the place of emotion in the definition of the therapeutic relationship, as well as the demonstrated positive impact that emotional expression has on therapeutic process and outcome, it stands to reason that studying the emotional exchange between the therapist and client further would be warranted. This study used a validated observational coding system--the Specific Affect Coding System (SPAFF) and a theoretical mathematical model to analyze behaviors which make up the therapeutic relationship. Specifically, the researchers used to codify relationship-building behaviors between an expert therapist and his client over the course of six sessions. Dynamical systems mathematical modeling was also employed to create "phase space portraits" depicting the relational dynamics between the master therapist and his client over six sessions. Statistical analysis was used to compare SPAFF codes and model parameters between the expert therapist and his client. The expert therapist showed stability in affect codes over six sessions while the client's affect codes appeared to be more flexible over time, though model parameters remained stable across the six sessions. Finally, phase space portraits depicted the evolution of the affective dynamics between the master therapist and his client as the relationship matured. The clinician's ability to stay emotionally positive and relatively stable across the six sessions (relative to the client) was noteworthy. It formed the basis for a stable base from which she could explore alternative methods to relate to others that she had allowed to dictate her actions, which is in keeping with previous research on the role of therapist facilitation of the therapeutic relationship, emotional expression within the therapeutic relationship, and influence of these on client outcomes. These results provide a valuable foundation for future research on emotional expression as a key component of the therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy.

Exploratory Therapy in Two‐Plus‐One Sessions II ‐ A Single Case Study

ABSTRACT.This paper presents a single case study employing a model of brief Exploratory therapy, termed two‐plus‐one therapy, in which a client, Doris, presenting with an intense fear of thunder, was seen for two sessions one week apart followed by third session three months later. The therapist was Dr Robert Hobson and the three sessions were videotaped. The paper presents five central components of the model: (1) focus on the client's affect; (2) identification of a focal issue; (3) personal meaning of dream content; (4) emphasis on the interpersonal process in the ‘here and now’; and (5) identification of a narrative point of origin. These components are presented with extensive use of verbatim transcripts of the sessions to illustrate these components together with the techniques used in this mode of brief therapy. The changes achieved, and not achieved, in the client's pathology are discussed.