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Noverbal communication and alliance in therapy: the body formation coding system
Y de Roten1, J Darwish, D J Stern
1Centre d'Etude des Psychothérapie, Psychanalytiques, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|May 29, 1999
Summary
Therapists and couples use body language to show engagement during therapy. A new system, the Body Formation Coding System (BFCS), measures this triadic engagement and its link to the therapeutic alliance.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Therapeutic Alliance Research
- Nonverbal Communication Studies
Background:
- Body formations in therapy sessions signal interaction readiness and engagement.
- Affective communication is contextually displayed through nonverbal cues.
- Assessing engagement at the triadic level is crucial for understanding therapeutic dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the Body Formation Coding System (BFCS).
- To assess engagement at the triadic level in therapy sessions.
- To explore the relationship between triadic engagement and therapeutic alliance.
Main Methods:
- Development of the 4-category Body Formation Coding System (BFCS).
- Validation of the BFCS on a sample of 14 triads.
- Analysis of body formations to code triadic engagement.
Main Results:
- Triads exhibit varying degrees of engagement.
- Triadic engagement is positively related to the therapeutic alliance.
- A stable level of triadic engagement emerges when the alliance is sufficient, demonstrating partner coordination.
Conclusions:
- The BFCS is a valid instrument for assessing triadic engagement.
- Triadic engagement is a key component of the therapeutic alliance.
- The BFCS offers potential for analyzing interactive aspects of the therapeutic alliance.