Development and field-testing of a procedure for coached clients to assess rapport during trainees' counselling interviews

Procedures for using coached clients to assess the degree of rapport between client and counsellor, as experienced by the client during counselling interviews, were developed. Twenty-three interviews conducted by counsellor trainees were assessed at one-minute intervals by two coached clients using a five-point rating system. In addition, the Working Alliance Inventory was used to assess rapport at the end of the interview. Data indicated that the in vivo rating procedure of client-experienced rapport possessed good reliability and validity.