The use of counsellor verbal response modes and client-perceived rapport

Abstract

The search for those counsellor'client interaction variables which mediate the level of rapport between participants in counselling sessions remains a major focus, particularly in view of the questions which are arising regarding the reliability and usefulness to practitioners of data from large scale controlled clinical trials of specific treatment procedures delivered via standardized manuals. This study examined one of the major therapy interaction variables'verbal response modes'and evaluated its effectiveness upon the development of the Bond aspect of the Working Alliance. To operationalize this variable, client-perceived rapport was assessed every minute via the standardized client procedure described elsewhere. Data suggested that minimal encouragers, reflections of feelings and restatements were the most prominent of the traditional verbal response modes in building rapport, and the usage across the period of 40 to 60 minute interviews varied. Other response modes were also examined. Implications for therapy and training of counselling skills are discussed.