Measuring adherence in time-limited dynamic psychotherapy.

Reports the development of the Vanderbilt Therapeutic Strategies Scale (VTSS), a measure of adherence to the tenets of time limited dynamic psychotherapy (TDLP). The VTSS comprises 2 subscales, 1 intended to assess the extent to which therapist's in-session behaviors are consistent with the approach outlined in the TDLP manual and the other rating the presence and quality of general psychodynamic techniques. Results from 64 patients (aged 24–64 yrs) and 16 therapists (aged 27–48 yrs) suggest the VTSS subscales have acceptable psychometric properties and provide good discriminant validity between pre- and post-training conditions. VTSS ratings were also compared with ratings of the therapist's contribution to the therapy process and ratings of "overall competence" made by the therapists' supervisors. The relationship between technical adherence, competence, interpersonal manner, and therapeutic skill is examined and discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)