Professional Psychotherapists Vs Nonpsychotherapists: Thought Processes,Verbal Behavior,and Clients' Satisfaction

Abstract

Combining eight case studies, we compared professional people matched on age and education, but with no training in counseling (NPs), with experienced professional psychologists or psychotherapists (Ps) on verbal responses made in the session, retrospections (recalled thoughts during counseling), clients' responses, and clients' satisfaction. After the two groups independently interviewed the same coached client who presented the same problem to both, the two groups, P and NP, retrospected. Transcripts were coded on six dimensions of retrospections and on 9 clients' and 14 counselors' categories of verbal response. Interrater congruence exceeded 75% agreement. Although clients' responses to both counselors were comparable, those without training differed from trained therapists in certain styles of thought and verbal behaviors. Clients considered the latter significantly more helpful than the former. Implications for theory and practice were discussed.