EXPLORING THERAPIST FACTORS ON PREMATURE TERMINATION AND THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP

The present study investigates therapist factors (such as conversation analysis, affectual interactions, and therapist facilitative skills) on client premature termination and the therapeutic relationship. The interactions of clients and therapists in a total sample of 76 psychotherapy sessions were analyzed using Hills Skills System (2017), Gottman, Woodin, and Coan’s (1998) Specific Affect Coding System, and scales of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) and Real Relationship Inventory (RRI). Coded data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests which found significant differences between clients who dropout and the types of questions being asked in session (HSS). There were also significant differences between clients who dropout and the therapist and client SPAFF scores, SPAFF and HSS scores on the WAI and RRI, as well as the quality of questions being asked (HSS) over time (from initial session to fourth session). Coded data for differences between clients who dropout and the therapist and client assessment of the quality of the working alliance and real relationship were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests and found no significant differences. Analysis of the results support the presence of therapist factors on the therapeutic relationship and client premature termination. These findings can also be added to the literature regarding the outcomes of the therapeutic relationship on client premature termination. The implications for psychotherapy practice, education, and research are discussed.