Therapist facilitative interpersonal skills and training status: A randomized clinical trial on alliance and outcome. (2nd September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anderson, Timothy; Crowley, Mary Ellen J.; Himawan, Lina; Holmberg, Jennifer K.; Uhlin, Brian D.
• Is Part Of: Psychotherapy research. Volume 26:Number 5(2016)
• Page Start: 511
• Page End: 529
• Publication Date: 2016-09-02
• Subjects: therapist characteristics -- common factors -- outcome research -- process research -- interpersonal skills; caratteristiche del terapeuta -- fattori comuni -- ricerca di esito -- ricerca di processo -- abilità -- interpersonali; Therapeutencharakteristika -- allgemeine Wirkfaktoren -- Ergebnisforschung -- Prozessforschung -- interpersonelle Fähigkeiten; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Research -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychothérapie -- Périodiques; Psychothérapie -- Recherche -- Périodiques; 616.891405
• DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2015.1049671
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-3307

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives : Therapist effects, independent of the treatment provided, have emerged as a contributor to psychotherapy outcomes. However, past research largely has not identified which therapist factors might be contributing to these effects, though research on psychotherapy implicates relational characteristics. The present Randomized Clinical Trial tested the efficacy of therapists who were selected by their facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) and training status.Method : Sixty-five clients were selected from 2713 undergraduates using a screening and clinical interview procedure. Twenty-three therapists met with 2 clients for 7 sessions and 20 participants served in a no-treatment control group.Results : Outcome and alliance differences for Training Status were negligible. High FIS therapists had greater pre–post client outcome, and higher rates of change across sessions, than low FIS therapists. All clients treated by therapists improved more than the silent control, but effects were greater with high FIS than low FIS therapists. From the first session, high FIS therapists also had higher alliances than low FIS therapists as well as significant improvements on client-rated alliance.Conclusions : Results were consistent with the hypothesis that therapists' common relational skills are independent contributors to therapeutic alliance and outcome.