title: Parent-therapist alliance in Family-Based Treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe the role of parent alliance in Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Differences between parent and child alliance with the therapist, mothers' and fathers' alliance, and their relationship to outcome were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independent observers rated audiotapes of early therapy sessions to assess the therapeutic alliance of parents and adolescents with AN in FBT. Outcome was defined using a previously established cut-point for recovery from AN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mothers' and fathers' alliance scores with the therapist were similar and significantly higher than adolescent alliance scores early in treatment. Combined parent alliance did not predict recovery at the end of treatment. Difference in alliance scores between mothers and fathers, and parents and their child also did not predict recovery at the end of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In FBT, parents developed a strong alliance with the therapist early in treatment. These scores were consistent with the focus in FBT on parental management of eating disorder symptoms, as was the fact that alliance between adolescents and therapists was lower. Although parental therapeutic alliance was likely important in FBT, its role in treatment response remains uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forsberg
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: LoTempio
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bryson
authors.forename: Kathleen Kara
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Le Grange
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Family-Based Treatment; adolescents; anorexia nerovsa; therapeutic alliance