I can hear the echo of his gaze in my words : A reflexive thematic analysis of nonverbal relational competence in five psychotherapy training processes

Objective This study explored how nonverbal relational competence was experienced, reflected upon, and developed across psychotherapy and supervision in five training therapies.Methods Using a multimodal design, video recordings of psychotherapy and supervision informed Interpersonal Process Recall interviews with clients, therapists, and supervisors. Interview and supervision material was analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.Results Three themes were developed: 1. Clients, therapists, and supervisors were sensitive to embodied and nonverbal relational processes, but this sensitivity took different forms and was not always explicitly reflected upon; 2. Clients and therapists retrospectively wished that embodied relational information had been used more actively in therapy, while therapists described having hesitated to do so out of concern that clients might feel criticized or devalued; and 3. Verbally addressing nonverbal experience could facilitate feeling seen, but also exposed, depending on how, when, and within what relational context it was addressed.Conclusion The findings suggest that nonverbal relational competence involves sensitivity to nonverbal processes, embodied self-awareness, reflective capacity, and clinical judgement about how embodied relational information may inform therapeutic responsiveness. Supervision may support its development by creating opportunities for tacit embodied experience to become available for reflection while preserving uncertainty about its meaning.