Sequential analyses examined associations between the working alliance and therapist-adolescent communication patterns in 10 Spanish cases of brief conjoint family therapy. Early sessions with strong versus problematic alliances, rated by observers, were selected for coding of relational control communication patterns. No differences were found in…

Predictions of family therapy outcome consistently vary depending on which client rates the alliance. We used the actor-partner interdependence model (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006) to test the interdependence of parents' and adolescents' ratings of alliance, session depth/value, and improvement-so-far after Sessions 3, 6, and 9. Initial analyses…

To be responsive to clients' evaluations of the unfolding therapy process, therapists must first accurately "read" client behavior, a particularly challenging task in conjoint family therapy. In this study, the authors compared client behavior in 28 sessions that one family member and the therapist concurred, on the Session Evaluation…

The authors assessed burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma symptoms, and compassion satisfaction in relation to experienced therapists' perceptions of the working alliance. Participants, 106 specialists in the treatment of clients who commit sexual abuse, completed the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form (T. J. Tracey & A. M.…

The authors focused on 2 unique aspects of the alliance in conjoint therapy: feeling safe in the therapeutic context with other family members and the family's shared sense of purpose about treatment (i.e., productive within-family collaboration). Low-income, multiproblem families were seen in a community clinic by therapists with varying…

Examined relational control communication patterns in systemic family therapy sessions. Results from 29 families showed significantly more complementarity than symmetry. Neither complementarity nor symmetry was predictive of family members' perceptions of the therapeutic alliance as measured by Couple and Family Therapy Alliance Scales. (Author/NB)

Proposes a taxonomy for classifying certain kinds of client self-presentations as defensive and assertive strategies to influence counselors' impressions and behaviors. Describes four assertive strategies (ingratiation, supplication, self-promotion, and intimidation) and one defensive strategy ("facework") along with their short-term…

To deepen our understanding of the therapeutic alliance in conjoint treatment, we interviewed clients in four families about their individual, private experience of the alliance after an early session. These qualitative data were triangulated with family members' scores on Pinsof's Family Therapy Alliance Scale-Revised and observational ratings of…

Examined the psychometric properties of the Couple and Family Therapy Alliance Scales (IPAS), two theoretically derived and systemically based measures of the therapeutic alliance. Couple and family clients (N=66) completed the scales and the Session Evaluation Questionnaire immediately following an early-to-mid treatment interview. Descriptive…

Examined patterns of interactive discourse to suggest how client and counselor establish a working alliance in their early interviews. Based on classification of 312 conversational turns from 14 dyads, a stochastic analysis was conducted. Results showed the sequences of talk were highly stable and predictable. (JAC)

Compared structural and Milan systemic approaches to determine extent to which major proponents behave in ways that are consistent with theory. Focused on interpersonal control dynamics between therapist and family system. Findings from three published transcripts of each treatment were generally congruent with theory and reflected hypothesized…

Cohesive talk was observed over time and across psychotherapy groups led by self-disclosing or nondisclosing therapists. Despite individual therapist differences, the nondisclosing groups showed more cohesive interactions throughout therapy. No differences were observed in clients' perceptions of therapists or their attraction to the group.…

To advance research and inform practice, the authors developed an observational rating system of client behavior reflecting strong and weak therapeutic alliances in couple and family therapy. The System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (SOFTA), in both English and Spanish, has 2 dimensions that are common across therapy modalities…

Observed changes in clients' expectations-perceptions over time and as a function of duration in counseling, and the relationship between perceptions and actual interview behavior. Results suggested before counseling clients focused more on the relationship than on expected results. By termination, perceptions of process and outcome were similar.…

Contrasted specific role preparation for counseling to a motivation-for-counseling control treatment on students' (N=17) perceptions, interview behaviors, and final evaluations of counseling. Results showed those exposed to role induction showed significant increases in self-references and decreases in verbal responses considered less relevant,…