Helpful and hindering events in psychotherapy: A practice research network study.

This paper presents the findings of a psychotherapy process study conducted within the Pennsylvania Psychological Association Practice Research Network (PPA-PRN). The investigation was the product of a long-term collaborative effort, both in terms of the study design and implementation, between experienced clinicians of various theoretical orientations and full-time psychotherapy researchers. Based on a relatively large sample of clients seen in independent practice settings, close to 1,500 therapeutic events (described by clients and therapists as being particularly helpful or hindering) were collected. These events were coded by three independent observers using a therapy content analysis system. Among the findings, both clients and therapists perceived the fostering of self-awareness as being particularly helpful. The results also point to the importance of paying careful attention to the therapeutic alliance and other significant interpersonal relationships. The merits and difficulties of conducting scientifically rigorous and clinically relevant studies in naturalistic contexts are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship and techniques in cognitive-behavioral therapy--A motivational approach.

Motivational attunement is presented here as a set of guiding principles that can be used to foster the therapeutic alliance in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The overarching goal of motivational attunement is to provide the client with need-satisfying experiences. In order to do so, the therapist must attune his or her interventions to the client's motivational goals. The authors attempt to demonstrate how therapists can assess motivational goals and use this information to foster the central components of the alliance. The authors also outline how motivational attunement can be used to prevent and resolve alliance ruptures. Finally, empirical support for the effects of motivational attunement is briefly described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The working alliance: Where are we and where should we go?

This article describes important findings that have emerged from decades of research on the working alliance, as well as some of the clinical implications of these findings. In addition, future directions of research on this construct are suggested. Our hope is that this article will provide useful heuristics for better understanding the alliance, the therapeutic relationship more broadly, and the process of therapeutic change in general. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)