Rate of speech and emotional-cognitive regulation in the psychotherapeutic process: a pilot study

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between a client’s rate of speech (ROS) and emotional-cognitive regulation during a psychotherapy session. The ROS was measured in words per second on the timed transcript of a single session of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Emotional-cognitive regulation was assessed using the therapeutic cycles model on emotional tone (ET), abstraction (AB), and their combination in emotion-abstraction patterns (EAPs). The results were mostly consistent with our hypotheses and showed that: i) the ROS negatively correlated with the conjoined ET and AB; and ii) the ROS in the connecting EAP (high ET and high AB) was significantly lower than in other EAPs. The results support the hypothesis that a significant reduction in the client’s ROS may be a reliable marker of in-session change processes. Clinical implications and future developments are discussed.

Beyond Verbal Behavior: An Empirical Analysis of Speech Rates in Psychotherapy Sessions

“…To generalize the results, it would be necessary to replicate the methodology in sessions conducted by other therapists. In the available literature, we found only one example of a methodology similar to the one we used (Tonti and Gelo, 2016 ). Even if the authors are referring to Mergenthaler's therapeutic cycle model (Mergenthaler, 1996 , 2008 ) instead of Bucci's multiple code theory, as in our work, the results are consistent with the ones we found.…”

A computational approach to measure the linguistic characteristics of psychotherapy timing, responsiveness, and consistency

“…Therapist tactics are used to help develop a therapeutic relationship and engender patient change, including statements that demonstrate understanding 19,41 . Paralinguistics refers to the way words are said, not the words themselves, for example, rate of speech 35,58,59 . Based on prior work, these language-focused constructs are theoretically important, but poorly measured moment-to-moment in psychotherapy.…”

Uncovering the linguistic characteristics of psychotherapy: a computational approach to measure therapist language timing, responsiveness, and consistency

“…Therapist tactics are used to help develop a therapeutic relationship and engender patient change, including statements that demonstrate understanding 4,11 . Paralinguistics refers to the way words are said, not the words themselves, for example, rate of speech 46,47 . Based on prior work, these language-focused constructs are theoretically important, but poorly measured in psychotherapy.…”