title: Therapeutic collaboration and the assimilation of problematic experiences in emotion-focused therapy for depression: Comparison of two cases.
abstract: The Assimilation model argues that therapists should work responsively within the client's therapeutic zone of proximal development (TZPD). This study analyzed the association between the collaborative processes assessed by the Therapeutic Collaboration Coding System (TCCS) and advances in assimilation, as assessed by the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale (APES).
  
  
  
  Sessions 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 of two contrasting cases, Julia and Afonso (pseudonyms), drawn from a clinical trial of 16-sessions emotion-focused therapy (EFT) for depression, were coded according to the APES and the TCCS. Julia met criteria for reliable and clinically significant improvement, whereas Afonso did not.
  
  
  
  As expected, Julia advanced farther along the APES than did Afonso. Both therapists worked mainly within their client's TZPD. However, Julia's therapist used a balance of supporting and challenging interventions, whereas Afonso's therapist used mainly supporting interventions. Setbacks were common in both cases.
  
  
  
  This study supports the theoretical expectation that EFT therapists work mainly within their client's TZPD. Therapeutic exchanges involving challenging interventions may foster client change if they occur in an overall climate of safety.
authors.affiliation: a Psychotherapy and Psychopathology Research Unit-CIPsi , Universidade do Minho , Braga , Portugal.
authors.forename: Eugénia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: b Maia University Institute-ISMAI , Maia , Portugal.|c Center of Psychology , University of Porto-CPUP , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: a Psychotherapy and Psychopathology Research Unit-CIPsi , Universidade do Minho , Braga , Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Sofia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: d Department of Psychology , Miami University , Oxford , OH , USA.|e Department of Psychology , Appalachian State University , Boone , NC , USA.
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.affiliation: a Psychotherapy and Psychopathology Research Unit-CIPsi , Universidade do Minho , Braga , Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pires
authors.affiliation: a Psychotherapy and Psychopathology Research Unit-CIPsi , Universidade do Minho , Braga , Portugal.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: b Maia University Institute-ISMAI , Maia , Portugal.|f CINEICC , University of Coimbra , Coimbra , Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Basto
authors.affiliation: b Maia University Institute-ISMAI , Maia , Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salgado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D000071441:Emotion-Focused Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: assimilation of problematic experiences; therapeutic collaboration