Compatibility between cotherapists: An empirical report.

Abstract

Stylistic variables are most important in determining perceived compatibility of cotherapists. Therapists who saw themselves as similar with respect to self-disclosure and directiveness in their work with patients were most likely to experience themselves as compatible.

Group Coleadership: A Critical Review

“…MacClennan further argued that the transference connection within the coleader dyad itself complicates not only the dyadic relationship but also the group dynamic. Differences in power, status, training, and experience can foster competition (Bernard, Drob, & Lifshutz, 1987;Bowers & Gauron, 1981;Gans, 1962), with each having the potential to elicit unresolved issues within coleaders and group members. If transference is not acknowledged and managed, the coleaders may be vulnerable to ineffective interactional patterns (Alpher & Kobos, 1988).…”

“…The primary disadvantages of coleadership are relational difficulties between leaders (Fall & Menendez, 2002;Okech & Kline, 2005;Roman & Meltzer, 1977). Problems appear as interpersonal conflict (Gallogly & Levine, 1979), ineffective communication (Bernard et al, 1987), competition between leaders (Bowers & Gauron, 1981), envy (Berger, 2002), and overdependence on the coleader (Gabriel, 1993). Group dynamics (e.g., group stage, roles) can have an impact on the coleader relationship as well, and unresolved conflict between leaders can promote splitting within the group (Heilfron, 1969;Yalom, 1995Yalom, , 2005.…”

The junior-junior team

“…Other writers, largely from observation of supervision, have suggested other important contributory factors to the success of the cotherapy relationship: compatibility of therapy styles (Corder et al, 1984;Davis & Lohr, 1971;Solomon et al, 1953) and degrees of liking and disliking between the therapists, which often contain strong transference aspects as well (Anderson et al, 1972;Demarest & Teicher, 1954;Mintz, 1965;Rosenbaum, 1983). Research by Bernard et al (1987) supported the importance of therapy styles. They found that cotherapists who were similar with respect to self-disclosure and directiveness were more likely to feel compatible.…”

An exploratory study of the use of cotherapy in dance/movement therapy

“…The majority of factors discussed are all rooted in one aspect: the relationship that emerges between the therapists. Bernard, Drob and Lifshutz (1987) discovered that therapists who perceived themselves as similar on self-disclosure and directiveness experienced compatibility. Heilfron (1969) stated the relationship between the cotherapists must be ~deeply personal" and mutually trusting in order to be effective.…”

“…Bernard, Drob and Lifshutz (1987) discovered that the two most important factors to cotherapy dyads were stylistic similarity and perceived compatibility. This conclusion might apply to movement styles.…”