Volume 19, Issue 2


Brief Research Report. Physiological Profiles in Psychoth erapy: Emotional correlates of therapists and patients. Preliminary observations


Abstract
In psychotherapy, as a particular dyadic context, we can observe emotional and physiological implications for both therapists and patients. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship among physiologic responses and emotional consequences during a session of psychotherapy. Our investigation is oriented to observe the physiology of shared emotions during live psychotherapy sessions, and autonomic consequences for both participants. Simultaneous measurements of skin conductance (GSR) and skin temperature (Temp) of four patient-therapist dyads during a live therapy session were conducted. In many other studies skin conductivity and peripheral temperature were two of the most sensitive physical measures of arousal level, and of emotional and empathic responsiveness. Our preliminary results suggest that therapists have physiological responses in common with patients, and for some dyads patient-therapist we have observed a significant correlation and concordance in physiological activation. The physiological fluctuation concerning therapist was acquired in tree session of psychotherapy, and recorded in different times and with different patients. Our results suggest that every psychotherapist show an unique psycophisiological profile, which is maintained in every session regardless of' different patients.

Keywords
psychotherapy, empathy, physiology

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