Psychotherapy integration and alliance: Use of cognitive-behavioral techniques within a short-term psychodynamic treatment model.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between Psychodynamic-Interpersonal (PI) and Cognitive-Behavioral (CB) techniques used in a Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with the therapeutic alliance early in treatment. Ninety-one outpatient participants rated their alliances, and independent videotape ratings of technique were made. Our findings did not support the primary hypothesis of a relationship between technique integration and overall patient-rated alliance. However, our findings did demonstrate a significant association between the integration of PI and CB techniques with the two alliance subscales Goals & Task Agreement and Confident Collaboration. In addition, specific PI and CB techniques were significantly correlated with higher patient alliance scores on these two subscales. Psychodynamic therapists who are more collaborative in identifying specific goals and explicitly defining the focus of the treatment with their patients, as well as providing a clear rationale for their model, may facilitate a stronger therapeutic alliance specific to patient confidence in, and agreement with, the treatment process.