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Abstract

This multiple case study explored various data streams within and among therapeutic dyads through exploration of relationships between coherence, interoceptive awareness, therapeutic presence, and physiological synchronization within eight therapeutic dyad s and among five therapists and eight clients. Throughout this study, therapeutic dyads met regularly throughout a control phase and an intervention phase during which coherence-building interventions of Heart Lock-In (HLI) and Shift & Lift were implemented. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and measured throughout the study. Pre and post data collection included skills acquisition assessment from therapists as well as subjective reports of Interoceptive Awareness (IA) gathered from therapists and clients before and after the study. Heart Rate Variability coherence (HRVC) of clients and therapists was measured continuously throughout all sessions. Therapists and clients completed therapeutic presence questionnaires after each therapy session throughout the study. Data analysis indicated successful coherence-building skills acquisition for therapists as a group, as well as increases in mean coherence and total interoceptive awareness post-study for both therapists and clients as a group. Quantitative data measurements indicated increased coherence during the intervention phase compared to the control phase of the study, as well as increased mean coherence during engagement with HLI and Shift and Lift interventions in therapy sessions compared to non-intervention time intervals. While case-by-case dyadic data analysis indicated discrepancies between quantitative and qualitative reports, assessment of therapists and clients as a group indicated confirmation of the hypotheses that HRVC and IA increased during the intervention phase of the study as well as during intervention periods in therapy sessions. Physiological synchronization appeared to be present between therapists and clients during intervention time periods. These findings suggest that coherence-building techniques promote coherence, interoceptive awareness, and physiological synchronization.