title: Using the e-SOFTA for video training and research on alliance-related behavior.
abstract: In this article, we describe a specific technology for training/supervision and research on the working alliance in either individual or couple/family therapy. The technology is based on the System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (SOFTA; Friedlander, Escudero, & Heatherington, 2006), which contains four conceptual dimensions (Engagement in the Therapeutic Process, Emotional Connection with the Therapist, Safety within the Therapeutic System, and Shared Sense of Purpose within the Family), observational rating tools (SOFTA-o), and self-report measures (SOFTA-s) shown to be important indicators of therapeutic progress. The technology, e-SOFTA, is a computer program (available for PC downloading free of charge) that can be used to rate client(s) and therapist on the specific SOFTA-o behaviors that contribute to or detract from a strong working alliance in each dimension. In addition to providing time-stamped frequencies of alliance-related behaviors, e-SOFTA allows users to link the observed behaviors to qualitative comments and to compare one person's rating of a session to that of another person. Suggestions are provided for using e-SOFTA in research, in didactic training, and in supervision, including a specific training module for introducing graduate students to the working alliance and assessing their observational and executive skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain. valentin.escudero@udc.es
authors.forename: Valentín
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Escudero
authors.forename: Myrna L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Friedlander
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heatherington
mesh_terms: D005196:Family Therapy / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008388:Marital Therapy / Q000193:education*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education*; D012984:Software; D014741:Video Recording