The Therapeutic Alliance: Implications for Therapeutic Process and Therapeutic Goals

Interest in the importance of the therapeutic alliance to the psychotherapeutic process has recently grown across theoretical
domains. Through a case example the author demonstrates that in some cases a familiar pattern of relating with the therapist
may be more important for the client in terms of treatment success than positive regard early in treatment. Also, charting
shifts in the quality of the relationship rather than quantitative changes in the alliance may help the therapist navigate
the recursive emergent properties of relationship, goals of treatment and choice and timing of interventions. Finally, the
author suggests that the therapist’s internalization of the client may represent a significant leap in the relationship, and
help reduce some of the “sloppiness” that is inherent in the therapeutic process.