Patients’ facial-affective regulation during episodes of rupture of the therapeutic alliance / Regulación afectivo-facial de pacientes durante episodios de ruptura de la alianza terapéutica

The nonverbal, implicit and affective regulation process of psychotherapy patients was studied through their facial-affective displays during Confrontation and Withdrawal Ruptures, as well as the evolution of this display throughout therapy. Twenty-six rupture episodes selected from a total of five individual therapeutic processes from different theoretical orientations were analysed using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), which analyses facial behaviour. The results showed association between expressions of Joy, Social Smile and positive emotional Valence during Withdrawal Ruptures, while Confrontation Ruptures were characterized by patients’ absence of Emotional Valence. The differential characteristics of these variables were associated with stages of therapy. The results are discussed based on the notions of agency and affiliation put into play by patients during events of relational tension.