title: Interpersonal processes affecting early alliance formation in experiential therapy for depression.
abstract: This study examined the effects of in-session interpersonal process and pre-therapy interpersonal problems on session-one alliance formation for 32 clients who received short-term experiential therapy for depression. Interpersonal behavior measured by the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior, as well as clients' pre-therapy reports of interpersonal problems significantly related to session-one alliance scores. Greater client disclosure independently predicted a stronger session-one bond with the therapist. Both greater client disclosure (positively) and pre-therapy Social Inhibition (negatively) independently predicted early goal agreement. Findings suggest that client disclosure is a marker of early engagement in experiential therapy, as well as support this model's mandate to form interpersonally safe therapeutic environments from the first moments of therapy.
authors.affiliation: a Psychology , York University , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Alberta E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012919:Social Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome