It can be easy in psychotherapy to assume that the verbal communication between patient and therapist is honest, insightful and motivated towards therapeutic progress. The validity of these assumptions may be evaluated based on the additional information gained from the perception of non-verbal indicators. As embodied creatures, we express ourselves through many non-verbal methods, often without conscious awareness. Therefore, understanding those modes of non-verbal communication allows a therapist to obtain valuable insights into a patient’s state of mind, despite the possible presence of verbal communication barriers. Likewise, a therapist’s understanding of their own physical expression of their mental state affords them the opportunity to comprehend the effect of their own behaviours on the dyadic therapeutic relationship.
