System for observing family therapy alliances: A tool for research and practice.

Friedlander, Myrna L.; Escudero, Valentín; Horvath, Adam O.; Heatherington, Laurie; Cabero, Andrés; Martens, Matthew P.

doi:10.1037/0022-0167.53.2.214

Cited by 131 publications

(168 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Previous studies have indicated that cohesion and agreement within families during family therapy is beneficial with regard to achieving treatment goals [35], [36]. In this study, we did not observe any statistically significant association between concordance between children’s and parents’ reports and reduction of z-BMI.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 72%

Family-Based Behavioural Intervention Program for Obese Children: An Observational Study of Child and Parent Lifestyle Interpretations

et al. 2013

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BackgroundFamily-based behavioural intervention programs (FBIPs) against childhood obesity have shown promising results, but the mediating mechanisms have not been identified. The aim of this study was to examine changes in obese childreńs lifestyle habits during a 2-year FBIP according to their own and parents’ reports, the concordance between these reports and the correlations to change in post-intervention z-BMI.MethodsAn observational study of 26 children (8.3–12.0 years) and their parents participating in a 2-year FBIP was performed. Weight and height were measured from baseline to 12 months after the end of the program. Eating habits and physical- and sedentary activity were reported separately by children and parents. Data were analysed with regard to concordance between parents’ and children’s reports and association between the lifestyle reports and change in z-BMI at the study endpoint using descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric tests.ResultsAccording to both children’s and parents’ reports, the level of physical activity among the children had increased after the intervention as well as the agreement between the informants’ reports. According to the children, eating habits had improved, while the parents’ reports showed an improvement only with regard to binge eating. The concordance between children and parents regarding eating habits was slight to fair also after the intervention. No statistically significant associations between changes in lifestyle reports and changes in z-BMI were observed.ConclusionsChild and parent reports of physical activity were found to converge and display an improvement in a 2-year FBIP, while the reports on eating habits showed a more refractory pattern. Changes in concordance and agreement between children and parents reports did not correlate with weight reduction. Further methods development and studies of the processes during family-based interventions against childhood obesity are warranted.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 72%

Family-Based Behavioural Intervention Program for Obese Children: An Observational Study of Child and Parent Lifestyle Interpretations

et al. 2013

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“…Interpreting alliance simply in dyads between each family member and the therapist ignores the complex intrafamilial dynamics that make family therapy unique (Beck et al, 2006;Friedlander et al, 2006). The process of engaging with the therapist aids in developing insights and improvements in parent/youth relationships; increased engagement occurs when the therapist empowers family members to improve their relationships with one another (Bachelor, 1995).…”

Section: Intra-family Alliancementioning

confidence: 96%

Treatment Engagement: Building Therapeutic Alliance in Home-Based Treatment with Adolescents and their Families

et al. 2007

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Client engagement is an essential yet challenging ingredient in effective therapy. Engaged clients are more likely to bond with therapists and counselors, endorse treatment goals, participate to a greater degree, remain in treatment longer, and report higher levels of satisfaction. This study explored the process of engaging high-risk youth and their parents in a unique home-based family therapy intervention. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 families who completed family therapy sessions that included a core component aimed at increasing treatment engagement. Parents' and youths' perceptions of engagement suggest the importance of developing therapeutic alliance with therapists, who facilitated building a shared alliance among family members. Implications for improving client engagement are discussed within the context of alliance building with the therapist and among family members.

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“…Two computer-based feedback systems, the Systemic Inventory of Change (STIC; Pinsof et al, 2009) and the System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (SOFTA; Friedlander et al, 2006) have been developed to serve as both clinical and research tools. Similar systems for tracking therapy outcomes and comparing them with norms have been used to relay clinically relevant information to therapists when their clients are responding poorly to treatment .…”

Section: Threat #3: a Lack Of Feedbackmentioning

confidence: 99%

Targeting Threats to the Therapeutic Alliance: A Primer for Marriage and Family Therapy Training

Karam

Sprenkle

Davis³

2014

J Marital Family Therapy

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Although theory and research highlight the importance of the client-therapist relationship, marriage and family therapy (MFT) training has historically centered on specific models, consisting of proprietary language and techniques, instead of common factors like the therapeutic alliance. In this article, we begin by making an argument for explicitly focusing on the therapeutic alliance in MFT training programs. Next, we highlight common alliance threats experienced by both faculty members and student therapists. We then integrate research-informed principles with clinical wisdom to outline specific recommendations and concrete skill-building exercises for MFT educators and supervisors to use with their students to address these threats and advance training on the therapeutic alliance.

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System for observing family therapy alliances: A tool for research and practice.

Cited by 131 publications

References 27 publications

Family-Based Behavioural Intervention Program for Obese Children: An Observational Study of Child and Parent Lifestyle Interpretations

Family-Based Behavioural Intervention Program for Obese Children: An Observational Study of Child and Parent Lifestyle Interpretations

Treatment Engagement: Building Therapeutic Alliance in Home-Based Treatment with Adolescents and their Families

Targeting Threats to the Therapeutic Alliance: A Primer for Marriage and Family Therapy Training

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