Early Alliance: The relationship between attachment representations, quality of object relations, and interpersonal style and early alliance between patient and therapist

Kristy Magee, Pace University

Abstract

The working alliance plays an important role in the development, maintenance, and outcome of therapy (Horvath, A.O. & Luborsky, L., 1993.). Early alliance, in particular, has been highly correlated with treatment outcome (1993) as patient reports of early working alliance often predict the direction of outcome and has significance for the entire therapeutic process (Martin, D.J., Garske, J.P., & Davis, M.K. 2000; Horvath, A.O. & Luborsky, L. 1993; Horvath, A.O. & Symonds, B.D., 1991). Pretreatment variables including attachment, quality of object relations, and diagnostic information including personality traits and interpersonal relatedness are also powerful, rich elements lending to an initial working knowledge of where our patients are at and where they are coming from. Literature shows that pretreatment variables including object relations and attachment play an instrumental role in reported positive or negative early alliance (Martin et. Al. 2000; Horvath & Luborsky, 1993; Horvath & Symonds, 1991; Hersoug et. Al. 2002; Green, J. 2006). The purpose of this study is to examine pretherapy variables including quality of object relations, parental representations, and diagnostic information including characteristics, traits and interpersonal style, and how these relate to self-reported early alliance with the therapist.

Subject Area

Counseling Psychology|Psychology|Clinical psychology

Recommended Citation

Magee, Kristy, "Early Alliance: The relationship between attachment representations, quality of object relations, and interpersonal style and early alliance between patient and therapist" (2016). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI10295936.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI10295936

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