Changes in trainees' intention use and volunteer clients' evaluations of sessions during early skills training.

Volunteer clients (N = 96) evaluated sessions conducted by prepracticum trainees prior to and after the trainees received instruction in interpersonal-psychodynamic therapy. The relationship between changes in therapeutic style, measured by intension use, and changes in volunteer clients' session evaluations were examined with growth curve analyses. After training, trainees increased their focus on client emotions and on the therapeutic relationship and decreased their verbal activity. Increased session smoothness was related to decreases in trainee verbal activity and to increases in trainee flexibility. Increases in volunteer clients' perceptions of trainee expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness were related to trainees' increased focus on client emotions and increased focus on the therapeutic relationship and to decreases in confrontation.