The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice

This state-of-the-art book presents research-based practice guidelines that clinicians of any orientation can use to optimize the therapeutic alliance. Leading proponents of the major psychotherapeutic approaches explain just what a good alliance is, how to create it, and how to recognize and repair alliance ruptures. Applications in individual, group, couple, and family therapy are explored; case examples vividly illustrate the concepts and techniques. Links between the quality of the alliance and client outcomes are elucidated. A section on training fills a major gap in the field, reviewing proven strategies for helping therapists to develop key relationship-building skills.

J. Christopher Muran, PhD, is Associate Dean and Professor at the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies and Director of the Psychotherapy Research Program at Beth Israel Medical Center. His research and publications have concentrated on developing intervention and training models relating to the therapeutic alliance. Dr. Muran is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and coeditor of the journal Psychotherapy Research.

Jacques P. Barber, PhD, ABPP, is Professor and Dean of the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University. He is also Emeritus Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and in the Psychology Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was formerly Associate Director of the Center for Psychotherapy Research, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine. His research focuses on the outcome and process of psychodynamic and cognitive therapies for depression, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance dependence, and personality disorders. He has published more than 225 papers, chapters and books in the field of psychotherapy and personality, including The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice, coedited with J. Christopher Muran. Dr. Barber is past president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research and a recipient of its Distinguished Research Career Award.

J. Christopher Muran, PhD, is Associate Dean and Professor at the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies and Director of the Psychotherapy Research Program at Beth Israel Medical Center. His research and publications have concentrated on developing intervention and training models relating to the therapeutic alliance. Dr. Muran is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and coeditor of the journal Psychotherapy Research.

Jacques P. Barber, PhD, ABPP, is Professor and Dean of the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University. He is also Emeritus Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and in the Psychology Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was formerly Associate Director of the Center for Psychotherapy Research, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine. His research focuses on the outcome and process of psychodynamic and cognitive therapies for depression, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance dependence, and personality disorders. He has published more than 225 papers, chapters and books in the field of psychotherapy and personality, including The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice, coedited with J. Christopher Muran. Dr. Barber is past president of the Society for Psychotherapy Research and a recipient of its Distinguished Research Career Award.