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Client characteristics and early working alliance development: A person-centered research approach
Wilson T Trusty1, Louis G Castonguay2, Caitlin L Chun-Kennedy1
1Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
Summary
Client characteristics significantly impact psychotherapy alliance development. Women of color with high distress and prior treatment often experience a low and stable alliance, highlighting the need for holistic client assessment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Client characteristics are linked to early psychotherapy alliance difficulties.
- Limited quantitative data exists on combined client characteristics and alliance development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine profiles of early working alliance development using a person-centered approach.
- To investigate differences in client characteristics across alliance development profiles.
Main Methods:
- Latent profile analysis of 2,579 psychotherapy clients' alliance ratings (first four sessions).
- Person-centered analyses (multigroup confirmatory latent class analysis) of client demographics, treatment history, and distress.
- Therapist-reported client presenting concerns were also included.
Main Results:
- Three alliance development profiles emerged: high and stable, moderate and increasing, and low and stable.
- Clients in different alliance profiles showed distinct combinations of clinical and demographic characteristics.
- Women of color with high distress and prior therapy experience were more prevalent in the low and stable alliance profile.
Conclusions:
- Client characteristics and experiences holistically shape psychotherapy processes.
- Person-centered quantitative methods are valuable tools for psychotherapy research.
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