Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Development and validation of the facilitative interpersonal skills scale for clients
João M Santos1, Matilde Barata2, Sara Rathenau2
1Centro de Investigação e Estudos de Sociologia (CIES-Iscte), Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
Objective:
Psychotherapy studies have revealed that therapist characteristics are responsible for 5% to 9% of outcome variance. The therapist-facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) have been shown to predict both alliance and outcomes, indicating that higher FIS therapists are more effective than lower FIS therapists. The current study focused on the development and validation of the FIS-client version (FIS-C) instrument, aimed at collecting the clients' perspectives on relevant therapist characteristics.
Method:
The clinical outcomes in routine evaluation-outcome measures, the session rating scale, and the FIS questionnaire-client version were filled out by psychotherapy clients. Exploratory, confirmatory factor, and test-retest analysis were conducted.
Results:
Results indicate robust psychometric characteristics, in terms of validity (factorial, convergent, discriminant, and nomological), reliability, and sensitivity.
Conclusion:
The validation of the FIS-C represents an important contribution to clinical research and practice, namely to the field of client feedback and therapist expertise.
Related Concept Videos
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Self-Report Tests of Personality
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Cattell's 16 Personality Factors
In contrast, source traits are the...

