BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the link between child-therapist alliance and outcome in manual-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children diagnosed with anxiety disorders. This study sought to clarify the nature and strength of this relation. METHODS: The Therapy Process Observational Coding System for Child Psychotherapy - Alliance scale (TPOCS-A; McLeod, 2005) was used to assess the quality of the child-therapist alliance. Coders independently rated 123 CBT therapy sessions conducted with 34 children (aged 6-13 years) diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Parents reported on children's symptomatology at pre- mid-, and post-treatment. RESULTS: A stronger child-therapist alliance early in treatment predicted greater improvement in parent-reported outcomes at mid-treatment but not post-treatment. However, improvement in the child-therapist alliance over the course of treatment predicted better post-treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the child-therapist alliance assessed early in treatment may be differentially associated with symptom reduction at mid- and post-treatment. Results underscore the importance of assessing the relation between alliance and outcome over the course of therapy to clarify the role the child-therapist alliance plays in child psychotherapy.
BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the link between child-therapist alliance and outcome in manual-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children diagnosed with anxiety disorders. This study sought to clarify the nature and strength of this relation. METHODS: The Therapy Process Observational Coding System for Child Psychotherapy - Alliance scale (TPOCS-A; McLeod, 2005) was used to assess the quality of the child-therapist alliance. Coders independently rated 123 CBT therapy sessions conducted with 34 children (aged 6-13 years) diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Parents reported on children's symptomatology at pre- mid-, and post-treatment. RESULTS: A stronger child-therapist alliance early in treatment predicted greater improvement in parent-reported outcomes at mid-treatment but not post-treatment. However, improvement in the child-therapist alliance over the course of treatment predicted better post-treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the child-therapist alliance assessed early in treatment may be differentially associated with symptom reduction at mid- and post-treatment. Results underscore the importance of assessing the relation between alliance and outcome over the course of therapy to clarify the role the child-therapist alliance plays in child psychotherapy.
Authors: Leonard Bickman; Ana Regina Vides de Andrade; M Michele Athay; Jason I Chen; Alessandro S De Nadai; Brittany L Jordan-Arthur; Marc S Karver Journal: Adm Policy Ment Health Date: 2012-03
Authors: Ruth C Brown; Michael A Southam-Gerow; Bryce D McLeod; Emily B Wheat; Carrie B Tully; Steven P Reise; Philip C Kendall; John R Weisz Journal: J Clin Psychol Date: 2017-09-25
Authors: Carrie Masia Warner; Chad Brice; Petra G Esseling; Catherine E Stewart; Laura Mufson; Kathleen Herzig Journal: Adm Policy Ment Health Date: 2013-11