Analysis of the development of the working alliance using hierarchical linear modeling.

Abstract

The relation between the working alliance and therapeutic outcome was examined in 21 therapist-client dyads. This relation was analyzed in terms of the level of alliance at the third counseling session, midpoint of treatment, and last session with linear and curvilinear models of the temporal development of the working alliance. Analyses were conducted with hierarchical linear modeling. Results revealed a significant association between the linear growth function of therapist ratings of the working alliance and therapeutic outcome. The use of hierarchical linear modeling in counseling psychology research and the need for conceptualizing the working alliance as a temporally variant, as opposed to a static, process are discussed. Studies of the working alliance represent an important recent focus as well as a growing edge for research in counseling psychology (Hill & Corbett, 1993). Developed from psychoanalytic principles governing the conduct of therapy (e.g,. Freud, 1913/1958), the working alliance has come to be seen as a necessary component of counseling of all types, regardless of theoretical frame (Gelso & Fretz, 1992; Hartley & Strupp, 1983; Robbins, 1992). Although several definitions of the working alliance have been offered, Bordin's (1979) definition has been the most heuristic, spawning a number of theoretical and empirical works. Bordin defined the working alliance as the collaboration between the client and the therapist based on their agreement on the goals and tasks of counseling and on the development of an attachment bond. Gelso and Carter (1985) provided a catalyst for recent research on the counseling relationship in general and the working alliance in particular (Gelso & Fretz, 1992; Hill & Corbett, 1993; Sexton & Whiston, 1994). In Gelso and Carter's (1994) recent refinement of the propositions set forth in their 1985 article, they emphasized the temporal unfolding of the relationship components. Specifically, their 12th proposition regarding the dimensions of the counseling relationship was stated as follows: "Especially in treatments that abbreviate duration, an initially sound working alliance will subsequently decline, but in successful therapy this decline will be followed by an increase to earlier, high levels" (Carter & Gelso, 1994; pp. 301-302). This specific proposition, which the present study was designed to examine, is an example of a recent trend in theorizing about the

The coach‐coachee relationship in executive coaching: A field study

“…This result is consistent with the psychotherapy literature, which shows that the working relationship between the therapist and the client increases with the number of therapy sessions (Kivlighan & Shaughnessy, 1995). The number of sessions also refers to the design of executive coaching.…”

“…Finally, in the psychotherapy literature development of the working alliance over a series of sessions has been examined in a number of studies (de Roten et al, 2004;Kivlighan & Shaughnessy, 1995, 2000. These studies have shown that, in general, the working alliance tends to adopt two patterns: either a progressive increase in quality over the series of sessions or development in a quadratic pattern characterized by the three phases of initial optimism, then frustration and negative reactions during the period of working on the issues of therapy, and finally a positive reaction based on more realistic perceptions than those present in the initial phase.…”

“…In short, the results from empirical studies (see Colquitt et al, 2000) show that participants who reported a high level of support in their working environment (organization, immediate superior, colleagues) were more likely to apply their new skills than participants who reported a low level of support. In psychotherapy, it has been reported that the level of social support reported by clients is positively associated with the quality of the working alliance (Mallinckrodt, 1992).Finally, in the psychotherapy literature development of the working alliance over a series of sessions has been examined in a number of studies (de Roten et al, 2004;Kivlighan & Shaughnessy, 1995, 2000. These studies have shown that, in general, the working alliance tends to adopt two patterns: either a progressive increase in quality over the series of sessions or development in a quadratic pattern characterized by the three phases of initial optimism, then frustration and negative reactions during the period of working on the issues of therapy, and finally a positive reaction based on more realistic perceptions than those present in the initial phase.…”

Reciprocal influence model of working alliance and therapeutic outcome over individual therapy course.

“…However, the previous longitudinal reciprocal research (e.g., (Falkenström et al, 2014) investigating the effect of the working alliance typically Reciprocal Model of Working Alliance and Therapeutic Outcome 7 adopted a single alliance rating at the third session. Such an approach fails to recognize the change of the working alliance over time (Kivlighan & Shaughnessy, 2000;Kivlighan & Shaughnessy, 1995;Stiles et al, 2004) and ignores the enhancement of the working alliance-outcome link over time (Flückiger, Del Re, Wampold, Symonds, & Horvath, 2012;Martin et al, 2000). An examination exploring the reciprocal effects of the fluid working alliance and the fluid therapeutic outcome across the therapy course is thus needed.…”

Avaliação do processo de aconselhamento vocacional: revisão da literatura

“…Apesar da falta de consenso entre os estudos da relação terapêutica no aconselhamento psicológico vocacional, esta foi apontada como responsável de 1% a 12% pelos seus resultados , reforçando a conclusão que os resultados do aconselhamento psicológico vocacional podem ser explicados pela qualidade da relação terapêutica (Gunderson, Najavits, Leonhard, Sullivan, & Sabo, 1997;Kivlighan & Shaughnessy, 1995).…”