Therapist, trainee, and child verbal response modes in child group therapy

The Hill Verbal Response Modes System was adapted to examine the verbal responses of a therapist, trainees, and participants in child group therapy, as well as to identify the verbal responses most effective in producing self-disclosure. Results indicated participant differences in most verbal responses, no time effect, and several Time × Participant interactions. Boys and girls were similar to each other but different from the therapist and trainees, and trainees were different from the therapist, during the stages of group development. However, there was movement in different directions during the group process: Children increased most verbal responses and trainees increased some, but the therapist decreased her use of most verbal responses. Self-disclosure was the dominating behavior in these groups throughout the group process. Other frequent responses were feedback and questions. The verbal responses that most affected self-disclosure were structured activities and questions. Implications are discussed for training child group therapists.