SYSTEMATIC EFFECTS OF PARTICIPANT ROLE ON EVALUATION OF THE PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSION

This study identified systematic differences between therapists(n = 11 4) and patients (n = 119)in the process components that predict evalua tion of psychotherapy sessions. The Comprehensive Scale of Psychothera py Session Constructs was developed to measure 9 process variables and their relationships to session evaluation from the perspectives of th erapist and patient. Regression equations predicting session evaluatio n from the process components for the 2 groups were significantly diff erent. Therapist session evaluation was best predicted by therapist ex pertness, and patient session evaluation was best predicted by the the rapist real relationship. The therapist real relationship negatively p redicted therapist session evaluation when all process variables were considered simultaneously. Patient progress and patient involvement si gnificantly and positively predicted both therapist and patient evalua tion.