Physiological correlates of therapeutic rapport: an analysis of brainwave patterns

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether there were recognizable similarities in the electroencephalograph (EEC) patterns of a client and a counselor during times of self-reported rapport in a therapy session. Study participants (one counselor and three female senior psychology student volunteers) were connected to an EEC machine which simultaneously recorded brain wave activity for both client and counselor during an individual counseling session. Data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess each frequency band (delta, theta, alpha, and beta) for both left and right brain activity, giving eight ANOVA results for each session. Tukey's Studentized Range (HSD) was used to clarify significant finding. Results indicated general overall patterns; however, session-to-session results differed. Significant findings focused around the theta band in Session 1, the alpha band in Session 2, and the beta band in Session 3. Suggestions for further research are given.