Cultural ruptures in short‐term therapy: Working alliance as a mediator between clients' perceptions of microaggressions and therapy outcomes |
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| Authors: | Jesse Owen Zac Imel Karen W. Tao Bruce Wampold Amanda Smith Emil Rodolfa |
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| Affiliation: | 1. University of Louisville, , Louisville;2. University of Washington, , Seattle;3. Private Practice, , Seattle;4. University of Wisconsin, , Madison;5. University of Buffalo, , New York;6. University of California, , Davis, USA |
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| Abstract: | Aim: To determine whether or not clients' perceptions of microaggressions varied based on their own and the therapist's race/ethnicity and whether or not they would be negatively related to the effectiveness of therapy and if the working alliance would mediate this effect. Method: The study utilised a cross‐sectional, retrospective, methodology. Clients were recruited from a large university counselling centre in the United States (N=232 clients and 29 therapists). Results: Neither clients' race/ethnicity, therapists’ race/ethnicity, nor client‐therapist ethnic matching predicted perceptions of microaggressions. Clients' ratings of microaggressions were negatively associated with their psychological wellbeing; however, this effect was mediated by clients' ratings of the working alliance. Implications: Therapists should take into account the cultural messages they may be conveying to both white and racial/ethnic minority clients. Therapists should develop strategies that are consistent with a general therapeutic approach that promotes discussions about culture with their clients and, most importantly, should attend to the therapeutic relationship. |
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| Keywords: | process cultural competence therapy outcome working alliance |
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