Stochastic process analysis of interactive discourse in early counseling interviews

Examined patterns of interactive discourse to determine how client and counselor establish a working alliance in their early interviews. It was assumed, from a sociolinguistic perspective, that negotiation of the therapeutic relationship is reflected in the flow of talk, particularly during topic transitions. Based on an atheoretical classification of 312 conversational turns from 14 client-counselor dyads (14 undergraduate clients and 11 doctoral-student counselors), a stochastic analysis was conducted to test Markovian assumptions in the interactive patterns of counseling discourse and to identify patterns surrounding topic initiation and adoption. The 2 Markov chain conditions were satisfied, (i.e., the sequences of talk were highly stable [stationarity] and predictable [1st-order dependence]). Topic shifts were likely to be observed frequently and repetitively, suggesting a struggle for control over the interaction. The most predictable sequence, however, was the use of a passing turn to signal the speaker to elaborate on the established topic rather than shift the focus. These sequences were independent of speaker's role, underscoring the reciprocal influence of client and counselor in establishing a common understanding of the problem and defining their relationship. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).