Language Style Matching as a Counseling Skill Evaluation Tool

Abstract

This pilot study demonstrates language style matching (LSM) as an evaluation tool when examining counseling session discourse transcripts. LSM explores the language style of individuals and whether there is coordination in a dyadic conversation. This study examined the differences between suicidal discourse and general discourse. We employed a cross-sectional corpus linguistic analysis of transcripts of counseling sessions. The corpora were analyzed using the LSM methodology embedded in the Linguistic Inquiry and the Word Count software (LIWC-22). The results showed that LSM between clients and counselors within suicide discourse sessions was not statistically significantly different from those with general counseling content. Additionally, stylistic words did not vary between the two respective groups of dyads. The LSM can be an assessment tool in analyzing transcripts to determine the level of empathy and the therapeutic alliance. Additional basic counseling skills are transferable across different counseling topics.