Individuals with depression process information in an overly negative or biased way (e.g., Henriques & Leitenberg, 2002) and demonstrate significant interpersonal dysfunction (e.g., Zlotnick, Kohn, Keitner, & Della Grotta, 2000). This study examined the relationship between cognitive errors (CEs) and interpersonal interactions in early psychotherapy sessions of 25 female patients with major depression. Transcripts were rated for CEs using the Cognitive Error Rating Scale (Drapeau, Perry, & Dunkley, 2008). Interpersonal patterns were assessed using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (Benjamin, 1974). Significant associations were found between CEs and markers of interpersonal functioning in selected contexts. The implications of these findings in bridging the gap between research and practice, enhancing treatment outcome, and improving therapist training are discussed.

Aim: This exploratory study examined the association between clients' assessment of the therapeutic alliance and their cognitive errors (

Aim: This exploratory study examined the relationship between clients' involvement in therapy and their cognitive errors (CE) and coping action patterns (CAP). Method: Therapy sessions from N 0 26 clients were rated for CE and CP using the CE and CAP methods. Client involvement was measured with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, as well as the Comprehensive Scale of Psychotherapy Session Constructs. Results: The CEs' 'magnification of the negative or minimisation of the positive' and 'labelling' were associated with measures of affective therapeutic engagement. The coping styles 'negotiation', 'opposition', 'submission', 'isolation', 'support seeking', 'information seeking', 'delegation', and 'escape' were found to be associated with affective and behavioural dimensions of therapeutic involvement. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary supporting evidence that CE and CP are related to the extent to which clients engage in the work of therapy. Implications for researchers and therapists are discussed.

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Few studies have examined the relationship between interpersonal functioning and coping, two constructs that have been empirically linked to depression. This study examined the association between the coping strategies most commonly used by individuals with major depressive disorder and their interpersonal functioning. These processes were examined at the beginning of a 20-session cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression and at the end of treatment. Psychotherapy transcripts of 42 participants were rated for coping strategies using the Coping Pattern Rating System and for interpersonal functioning using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (Benjamin & Cushing, 2000). Early in therapy, a significant association was found between the escape coping strategy and interpersonal behaviors involving seeking distance from one's therapists, the assertion and separation from others and lesser use of the information seeking coping strategy, blaming others and more aggressive forms of coping, and self-criticism and escape coping. Later in therapy, patients who expressed themselves and connected with their therapists were more likely to use coping strategies such as self-reliance and information seeking to cope with stressors and to rely on their personal resources in relationships. These results are discussed in the context of tracking psychotherapy process and enhancing treatment outcome. Public Significance StatementWithin the context of depression, patient coping strategies and interpersonal behaviors are highly associated. Throughout psychotherapy treatment, coping strategies and interpersonal behaviors should be tracked to enhance treatment outcomes. More specifically, clinicians should be attentive to patients seeking distance within their therapeutic relationship as this may be associated with maladaptive coping strategies. Moreover, clinicians should encourage patients toward developing a balance between support seeking behaviors and self-reliant behaviors.