NCJ Number
144445
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 415-427
Date Published
1993
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the literature on three types of process variables (therapist behaviors, client behaviors, and interactions between clients and therapists) in psychotherapy and examines the implications for research with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Abstract
Therapist behaviors include ancillary behaviors, verbal behaviors, covert behaviors, global strategies, and interpersonal manner. Client behaviors include ancillary behaviors, overt behaviors, covert behaviors, and content. The three methodological issues that are most relevant for process research with survivors are the unit of measurement, the perspective (therapist, client, and/or observer), and ethical issues such as confidentiality. Current research methods can answer many questions, but new measures may be also be needed. Researchers need to be aware of the large amount of work involved in developing an adequate research instrument. The publications of Hill and Lambert, and Hill may be useful sources for researchers who are developing measures and training others to code behaviors within therapy sessions. 80 references