Publication of New Research by Prof. Avi Besser

Congratulations to Prof. Avi Besser, Head of the Department of Communication Disorders, on the publication of his co-authored article, "Recognition and Resistance in Early Psychotherapeutic Encounters: Therapist Response Style, Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry, and Public Mental Health Engagement." The study, written alongside Dr. Virgil Zeigler-Hill, has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

The study investigated how a therapist's behavior during a first session affects a client's view of the treatment and their willingness to continue. It also examined how specific personality traits—namely two different types of narcissism—influence these reactions.

The study was conducted among 972 Hebrew-speaking participants in Israel and revealed the following key findings:

The Impact of Therapist Support: When a therapist validates a client and respects their independence, the client feels acknowledged. This significantly reduces their defensiveness and increases their willingness to stay in therapy.

The Role of Personality Traits:

• Individuals with "narcissistic admiration" (those who seek praise and maintain positive social relationships) tended to view the therapy session more favorably.
• Conversely, individuals with "narcissistic rivalry" (those who view others as competitors and are easily threatened) felt less understood and showed higher levels of resistance toward the therapist.

These findings underscore the critical importance of the very first therapy session. A successful initial encounter builds trust and encourages people to stay in treatment, which ultimately contributes to improving public mental health across the community.