Early psychotherapy processes: An examination of client and trainee clinician perspective convergence

Abstract

Convergence in the therapist-client dyad has been hypothesized to play an important role in the development of the therapeutic relationship and in successful therapy outcomes. Further, understanding the client's views and opinions of treatment has been identified as a critical skill for therapists in training to learn in order to reach professional competency in conducting psychotherapy. This study assessed convergence for 151 trainee therapist-client dyads on the identification of goals and tasks of treatment and on ratings of the therapeutic relationship, effectiveness of therapy and the client's current coping ability with life stressors. Results indicated that trainee therapists' and clients' ratings were significantly correlated; however, trainee therapists were more negative in their ratings of the relationship and progress of treatment and matched their clients' goals for treatment only 31.1% of the time. Training and practice implications are discussed.

Patient-Centered Assessment in Psychotherapy: A Review of Individualized Tools

“…In the second part, patients are invited to indicate their two most important problems and what has been most helpful in therapy. The nomothetic module of this questionnaire was found to have an adequate level of reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.84; Swift & Callahan, ). Swift and Callahan () used the CETQ to explore the preferences of patients regarding treatment and to determine whether including these preferences had an impact on treatment outcome.…”

Convergence in patient–therapist therapeutic alliance ratings and its relation to outcome in chronic depression treatment

“…We argue that the discrepancy or divergence between patients' and therapists' alliance ratings may approximate part of the dynamic interplay that occurs during psychotherapy (Swift & Callahan, 2009; Tryon et al, 2007). For example, differences in perceived alliance quality, at one time or gradually over time, may reflect a lack of mutual clarity or shared understanding of the therapy goals, which could impede change.…”

Evidencias y Competencias en Psicoterapias

“…En la literatura se ha llamado a esto la paradoja de la equivalencia o del Pájaro Dodo en la que, como en la historia de Alicia en el País de las Maravillas, todos ganan. A raíz de estos hallazgos se va a desarrollar con fuerza el movimiento y la investigación en factores comunes de las psicoterapias (18-30) y en particular de la Alianza Terapéutica (31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37).…”