Abstract

Almost half of those who start therapy drop out early (Thalmayer, 2018). When therapists work to improve the therapeutic alliance, clients are more likely to stay in treatment and chances of recovery improve (D'Aniello et al., 2018; Escudero & Friedlander, 2017). However, the existing research comes almost entirely from client self-reports of the alliance. Little research has examined what occurs during the session. There has been no research to determine what specific therapeutic alliance behaviors are related to early termination. The current naturalistic study sought to discover if behaviors that strengthen or diminish the therapeutic alliance are related to early termination in therapy. Master's Students coded videos from thirty couples (fifteen matched pairs) who received therapy at the Brigham Young University Comprehensive Clinic (BYUCC) using the System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (SOFTA-o). Four dimensions of the therapeutic alliance were examined: engagement in the therapeutic process, emotional connection to the therapist, safety within the therapeutic system, and shared sense of purpose within the family. Results from a one-sided t-test showed that the emotional connection was significant for both male and female partners and the therapist, as was the male partner's sense of safety and the shared sense of purpose. Several individual behaviors were also significant. Understanding which behavioral indicators of the alliance are associated with dropout may help therapists identify couples at risk of dropout and intervene to prevent early termination. Implications and limitations will be discussed.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

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