THERAPEUTIC ALLIANCE - EARLY INDICATORS, COURSE, AND OUTCOME

This study investigated aspects of the therapeutic alliance for 32 adult outpatients receiving therapy. We hypothesized that patient positive and negative contributions to the therapeutic alliance in the first session of treatment would predict the maintenance of the alliance throughout treatment; that patients with initially poor potential for developing an alliance would have greater variability in outcome than patients with a good potential. Among patients who achieve significant change, positive contributions to the alliance would be greater in the later phases of therapy. The first and last hypotheses were supported. Clinically meaningful criteria in the assessment of outcome were addressed.