The therapist version of the Referential Process Post-session Scale (RPPS-T): Validity, reliability and clinical utility in accordance with the linguistic automated measures of the referential process

Aim: According to Bucci’s multiple code theory for a significant change the patient-therapist relationship should foster a referential process shaping in three alternating phases: a) arousal: experiencing emotion schemas, b) symbolization: translating into words the emotional experiences, and c) reorganization/reflection: recognizing, understanding and expanding the emotional significance. So far to monitor the development of these three phases therapists and researchers could use their own clinical sensitivity or the referential activity automated measures, which however need the sessions verbatim transcription. In order to develop a parallel method and less time consuming we have built up and tested a therapist self-report questionnaire measuring the phases of the referential process. Methods: We asked some psychotherapists to complete the questionnaire in an extended version and once reduced trough statistical analysis a shortened one, just after the some sessions end. We also analyzed the transcript of some of these sessions through the reference process computerized measures to correlate them with the questionnaire scores. Results: The first exploratory factor analysis revealed a factorial structure consistent with the hypothesized constructs and a high internal consistency of the subscales. We are conducting a confirmatory factor analysis on the second administration of shortened questionnaire. Furthermore the correlations between the questionnaires scores and the correspondent automated measures obtained on the transcripts will be tested. Discussion: The questionnaire utility will be highlighted both for therapists and researchers: the RPPS-T is an evaluation and supervision tool applicable on psychotherapy of any orientation and can be correlated with the other main clinical constructs.