Dimensions of therapeutic behavior

This study was designed to identify and structure the most significant behaviors of clinicians and clients engaged in speech and language therapy. A total of 428 clinical supervisors in 114 university training programs evaluated the therapeutic behavior of 480 clinician-client dyads. Results of a factor analysis of the clinicians' behavior yielded three distinct dimensions: "interpersonal relationship," "technical skill," and "target behavior" factors. A factor analysis of the clients' behavior resulted in two dimensions: "rapport" and "therapy feedback" factors. Based on these findings, the structure of therapeutic behavior is discussed along with implications for future clinical training and research strategies.