Reciprocal language style matching: Indicator or facilitator of therapeutic bond

The tendency to linguistically synchronize is an adaptive and prosocial process observed in verbal and written communication. Research in therapeutic contexts has primarily conceptualized reciprocal language style matching (rLSM; i.e., similarity of function words) as indicating the therapeutic relationship. However, in non-therapeutic contexts, rLSM has been conceptualized as facilitating relationship formation and maintenance. The aim of the present study was to examine if an indication model or facilitation model provided a better explanation for the association between rLSM and the therapeutic bond.

Online text-based crisis-counseling sessions (N = 350) with clients in suicidal crisis were coded for rLSM and therapeutic bond. To examine and compare the indication and facilitation models, we used random intercept cross-lagged panel models.

The association between rLSM and therapeutic bond was better explained by the facilitation model (i.e., rLSM predicting bond) than the indication model (i.e., rLSM co-occurring with bond). However, a model that included (a) rLSM predicting therapeutic bond and (b) the cross-sectional association between therapeutic bond and rLSM was the best fit.

Our findings indicate that rLSM may play a role in establishing the therapeutic relationship and be reflective of the client-counselor relationship. Implications for counseling practice are discussed.