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. 2024 Jul;80(7):1698-1710.
doi: 10.1002/jclp.23687. Epub 2024 Apr 8.

Determining differences between therapists using an extended version of the facilitative interpersonal skills performance test

Sabine J van Thiel  1   2 , Kim de Jong  3 , Kirsten S Misset  3 , Margot C W Joosen  1 , Jac J L van der Klink  1   4 , Jeroen K Vermunt  1 , Arno van Dam  1   2
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Determining differences between therapists using an extended version of the facilitative interpersonal skills performance test

Sabine J van Thiel et al. J Clin Psychol. 2024 Jul.

Abstract

Objectives: The therapist-facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) has shown to predict therapy outcomes, demonstrating that high FIS therapists are more effective than low FIS therapists. There is a need for more insight into the variability in strengths and weaknesses in therapist skills. This study investigates whether a revised and extended FIS-scoring leads to more differentiation in measuring therapists' interpersonal skills. Furthermore, we explorative examine whether subgroups of therapists can be distinguished in terms of differences in their interpersonal responses.

Method: Using secondary data analysis, 93 therapists were exposed to seven FIS-clips. Responses of therapists using the original and the extended FIS scoring were rated.

Results: Three factors were found on the extended FIS scoring distinguishing supportive, expressive, and persuasive interpersonal responses of therapists. A latent profile analysis enlightened the presence of six subgroups of therapists.

Conclusion: Using the revised and extended FIS-scoring contributes to our understanding of the role of interpersonal skills in the therapeutic setting by unraveling the question what works for whom.

Keywords: common factors; interpersonal skills; performance‐based assessment; therapist effects.

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References

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