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The Impact of Initial Factors on Therapeutic Alliance in Individual and Couples Therapy
Author(s) -
Knerr Michael,
BartleHaring Suzanne,
McDowell Tiffany,
Adkins Katie,
Delaney Robin Ostrom,
Gangamma Rashmi,
Glebova Tatiana,
Grafsky Erika,
Meyer Kevin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00176.x
Subject(s) - alliance , psychology , clinical psychology , therapeutic relationship , psychotherapist , depression (economics) , political science , law , economics , macroeconomics
The study uses 457 clients to investigate the impact of initial client factors on the development of therapeutic alliance. Data were collected longitudinally over the early portion of treatment. Cases included both individual and couple clients, allowing for examination of differences by case type. The study used the Working Alliance Inventory—Shortened Version (Tracey & Kokotovic, 1989) to measure therapeutic alliance. Initial factors considered included age, differentiation levels, prior stress, and depression. Couple clients showed differences from individual clients, and the variability prompted further investigation into relationship satisfaction and commitment as factors influencing the development of therapeutic alliance. Results highlight the increased complexity of developing an alliance with couples, and recommendations are provided for clinicians.