Circling Science

Therapist and client perceptions of therapeutic presence: The development of a measure

Shari M. Geller, Leslie S. Greenberg and Jeanne C. Watson · 2010

Evidence
Survey
Kind
Journal article
peer-reviewed
Method
Therapist and client versions of a presence questionnaire, rated after sessions and set against the working alliance and session outcome
Published
Psychotherapy Research, 20(5), 599–610

Mechanisms

Studies a process a circle relies on, such as disclosure or synchrony, wherever it happens.

A presence questionnaire in therapist and client versions: clients’ ratings of their therapist’s presence went with a stronger alliance and more change after sessions, while therapists’ ratings of themselves predicted little.

What it doesn’t show

All ratings were made after sessions, and clients rated presence, alliance and outcome themselves, so one overall impression may run through all three. The study does not show that training presence improves therapy.

Summary based on the abstract.

Directions that build on it

  1. The facilitator’s attention

    Builds on 7 works · 3 funding routes

    What does a facilitator attend to, moment by moment, and how does the choice of what to say arise?

Links

Cite

Geller, S. M., Greenberg, L. S., & Watson, J. C. (2010). Therapist and client perceptions of therapeutic presence: The development of a measure. Psychotherapy Research, 20(5), 599–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2010.495957