title: New Developments of the Therapeutic Alliance (TA): Good News for Psychodynamic Psychiatry.
abstract: Clinicians have long known that successful psychotherapy, including successful psychodynamic psychotherapy, depends upon the interaction between therapist and patient. In other words, it is important to have a strong therapeutic alliance. This article presents the history of the concept of the therapeutic alliance (TA). It also explores three areas of research that have bearing on the TA. The importance of the TA and the extensive research work that pertains to it hold promise for psychodynamic psychiatry, both in terms of understanding, and in the treatment of mental suffering.
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College.
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Auchincloss
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D011572:Psychoanalysis / Q000266:history*; D064889:Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic / Q000266:history*
keywords: psychoanalysis; psychodynamic psychiatry; therapeutic alliance