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Therapeutic alliance and progress in couple therapy: multiple perspectives |
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| Authors: | Tatiana Glebova Suzanne Bartle‐Haring Rashmi Gangamma Michael Knerr Robin Ostrom Delaney Kevin Meyer Tiffany McDowell Katie Adkins Erika Grafsky |
| Institution: | 1. Assistant Professor at Alliant International University, Marital and Family Therapy Program, 2030 West El Camino Avenue, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA, 95833, USA.;2. The Therapeutic Alliance Working Group in the Couple and Family Therapy Program, The Ohio State University, USA. |
| Abstract: | Therapeutic alliance research in couple therapy using multiple perspectives and longitudinal data has been sparse. This study used structural equation modelling to explore relationships between changes in alliance and in progress from clients' and therapists' perspective in a fairly large sample of couples (N=195) during the initial stage of therapy at an on‐campus training clinic. Self‐rated alliance was measured after sessions 2 through 4 with the Working Alliance Inventory. There was very little change in alliance over the early sessions of therapy, and changes in alliance did not always account for changes in relationship satisfaction. Husbands' perceptions of satisfaction and alliance seem to play an important role in the dynamics of the therapeutic process. Findings suggest a reciprocal relationship between perceptions of alliance and progress in therapy when combining perceptions of therapists and couple clients. Clinical implications and future research are discussed. |
| Keywords: | couple therapy progress therapeutic alliance |