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Therapist Reflective Functioning, Therapist Attachment Style and Therapist Effectiveness
John Cologon1, Robert D Schweitzer2, Robert King2
1Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. john@jcologon.com.
Administration and Policy in Mental Health
|January 30, 2017
Summary
Therapist reflective functioning, not attachment style, predicts client outcomes. However, secure attachment and high reflective functioning can compensate for each other, improving therapeutic effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Therapist characteristics significantly influence client outcomes.
- Reflective functioning and attachment style are key therapist attributes under investigation.
- Understanding these attributes can inform therapist selection and training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between therapist reflective functioning and attachment style with client outcomes.
- To determine if therapist attributes predict treatment effectiveness.
- To explore potential interactions between reflective functioning and attachment style.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hierarchical linear modeling to analyze data from 25 therapists and 1001 clients.
- Assessed therapist reflective functioning and attachment style using the Adult Attachment Interview and Experiences in Close Relationships Scale.
- Measured clinical outcome with the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45).
Main Results:
- Therapist reflective functioning was a significant predictor of therapist effectiveness.
- Therapist attachment style, independently, did not predict effectiveness.
- An interaction was observed: secure attachment buffered low reflective functioning, and high reflective functioning compensated for insecure attachment.
Conclusions:
- Reflective functioning is a crucial therapist attribute for client outcomes.
- Attachment style may play a moderating role in therapist effectiveness.
- Findings suggest implications for selecting and training therapy candidates.
Keywords:
Adult attachment interviewAttachmentMentalizationOQ-45Psychotherapy outcomeReflective functioningTherapist effectivenessTherapist factorsMore Related Videos
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