What is it about?

In psychotherapy sessions, patients and therapists are not constantly ‘on the same page’. We assessed if it manifests both behaviourally (i.e., by exhibiting alliance ruptures) and physiologically (i.e., by increase in regulation metrics). Findings showed that the patient withdrawled behaviourally but regulated himself during these moments.

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Why is it important?

Applying this knowledge may benefit clinical training and raise therapists' awareness of internal processes occurring within the patient that do not directly correspond with similar physiological processes within the therapist. In turn, therapists will might pay more attention to their feelings or the absence of them as a compass for detecting ruptures to resolve them and hopefully to form a stronger therapeutic alliance.

Perspectives

This can serve as a solid theoretical ground for any interpersonal communication. If any dyad are not in a shared mutual experience (behaviourally and physiologically), it might indicate an impass.

Amit Tchizick
University of Haifa

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This page is a summary of: Physiological regulation processes differentiate the experience of ruptures between patient and therapist., Psychotherapy, October 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/pst0000543.
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