Understanding Talk Time Ratios in Therapy
What is talk time ratio?
Talk time ratio measures how much of a session is spent with the client speaking compared to the therapist. Reviewing this ratio helps you reflect on session dynamics and ensure clients have the space they need.
Note: Today, Tenor does not count "silence" in the ratio.
How We Flag Talk Time
To keep things simple, we provide three tiers of feedback:
🌿 Healthy (Client talk > 60%)
The client has ample space to share, process, and reflect.⚖️ Even balance (Client talk 40–60%)
Therapist and client are contributing equally. This can be effective depending on your goals and the type of work being done.💬 Therapist-heavy (Client talk < 40%)
The therapist is speaking more than the client. Consider whether more client airtime could strengthen engagement and insight.
Why It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Talk time ratios should be interpreted with nuance:
Client-led modalities (e.g., psychodynamic, humanistic, person-centered) often benefit from higher client talk time, as space for free expression and narrative is central.
Therapist-led modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT, ACT, psychoeducation, exposure-based therapies) may naturally require more therapist input for skills teaching, thought records, or guided practice.
Stage of therapy matters too. Intake sessions or early rapport building may skew toward therapist-led, while later sessions might see clients speaking more.
Client needs shape balance: for example, clients in acute crisis or with severe anxiety may require more therapist structure and support early on.
How to Use This Insight
Reflect, don’t judge. Ratios are a guidepost, not a rule.
Check patterns over time. One session rarely tells the whole story.
Pair data with context. Always interpret ratios alongside clinical judgment and your therapeutic model.