The Therapeutic Alliance in Integrated Coping Awareness Therapy

The therapeutic alliance (TA) is a crucial component of psychotherapy, but few studies have examined TA in specialized interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study examined the role of TA (rated by clients, therapists, and independent observers) in the context of a novel FEP intervention. Demographic and clinical variables were examined as potential predictors of TA, and the relationship between TA and treatment outcomes was examined. Client-rated TA was higher than therapist-rated TA, and TA did not differ between treatment conditions. Younger age and lower baseline symptom severity predicted stronger client-rated TA. Lastly, stronger client-rated TA predicted lower post-treatment symptom severity. Results suggest that client-rated TA predicts treatment outcomes in this population more than therapist- or observer-rated TA, and that client-rated TA may also be more sensitive to demographic and clinical predictors. These findings expand our understanding of the role of TA in FEP interventions, enhancing treatment for this population.Master of Art