Abstract

Objective The present study implements an automatic method of assessing arousal in vocal data as well as dynamic system models to explore intrapersonal and interpersonal affect dynamics within psychotherapy and to determine whether these dynamics are associated with treatment outcomes. Method The data of 21,133 mean vocal arousal observations were extracted from 279 therapy sessions in a sample of 30 clients treated by 24 therapists. Before and after each session, clients self-reported their well-being level, using the Outcome Rating Scale. Results Both clients’ and therapists’ vocal arousal showed intrapersonal dampening. Specifically, although both therapists and clients departed from their baseline, their vocal arousal levels were “pulled” back to these baselines. In addition, both clients and therapists exhibited interpersonal dampening. Specifically, both the clients’ and the therapists’ levels of …
Objective

Method

Results

Date

2021

Authors

Adar Paz, Eshkol Rafaeli, Eran Bar-Kalifa, Eva Gilboa-Schectman, Sharon Gannot, Bracha Laufer-Goldshtein, Shrikanth Narayanan, Joseph Keshet, Dana Atzil-Slonim

Journal

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Volume

89

Issue

3

Pages

227

Publisher

American Psychological Association