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Bowlby's attachment theory describes characteristic patterns of relating to close others and has important implications for psychotherapy. Attachment patterns have been characterized as secure (healthy interdependence with others), anxious (overdependence on others), and avoidant (difficulty relying on others). We update a previous meta-analysis to determine the association of patient attachment with psychotherapy outcome. Metaanalysis of 36 studies (3,158 patients) suggested that patients with secure attachment pretreatment show better psychotherapy outcome than insecurely attached patients. Further, improvements in attachment security during therapy may coincide with better treatment outcome. Finally, preliminary moderator analyses suggest that those who experience low pretreatment attachment security may find better treatment outcome in therapy that incorporates a focus on interpersonal interactions and close relationships. The article closes with research limitations, diversity considerations, and therapeutic practices.K E Y W O R D S attachment style, meta-analysis, psychotherapy outcome, psychotherapy relationship 1 | INTRODUCTION Attachment theory, originally developed by John Bowlby to explain human bonding, has profound implications for conducting and adapting psychotherapy. The concept of attachment style refers to a person's characteristic ways of relating in intimate relationships with "attachment figures." Attachment style involves one's confidence in the

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Although the alliance–outcome correlation is well established, no published studies to date have separated between therapists’ and patients’ contributions while controlling for early symptom change. In this study, we examined therapist effects in two trials of CBT for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) and the impact of therapists’ and patients’ contribution to the alliance on outcome and attrition in one trial. Alliance ratings were obtained from patients and therapists early and late in treatment (n = 133). Data were analyzed using multi-level modeling controlling for early symptom change. No therapist effects were found. The patients’ contribution to the alliance predicted outcome (in both panic severity and anxiety sensitivity) and attrition. The therapists’ contribution to the alliance predicted attrition but not outcome. Results suggest that the patient's contribution to the alliance plays an important role in CBT for PDA and that including common factors into research on CBT may help elucidate treatment processes.

Overall, results suggest that intensive data collection is likely to yield understanding of the relationship between therapy processes and outcomes.