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2. Read/watch articles & videos.
3. Submit evaluation & post-test.
4. Print your certificate.
Course Materials:
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION
The recent focus on empirically supported therapies, albeit valuable, elevates procedure and uniformity over adaptation to patient preferences and over what all psychotherapies are at their root: an intimate and interpersonal process. In contrast, the therapeutic alliance offers a view of treatment that is a balanced mix of humanism and science. Alliance explains how patients become invested in the work of therapy, and researchers have established that alliance strength accounts for as much change as the treatment method.
Attachment theory and research can further augment our understanding of the therapeutic relationship by describing how the bond between patient and therapist unfolds, how insecurity impinges upon the formation and strength of alliances, and how a sense of security in psychotherapy promotes change.
The purpose of this course is three-fold: to introduce alliance theory and research, to show how an attachment-informed view deepens and broadens our understanding of the therapeutic relationship, and to describe how attachment ideas can help clinicians nurture and customize the therapeutic relationship in ways that can foster change. The course consists of an audio slide show that introduces basic concepts and 4 readings, by researchers and clinicians in the attachment field, that elaborate lecture points. Finally, it provides relevant references, online resources and updates.
Educational Objectives:
This course will teach psychotherapists to
Define the alliance and summarize empirical findings that support its importance.
Describe the basics of attachment theory and its major findings.
Summarize the empirical evidence showing that attachment security influences alliance formation and strength.
Describe how an alliance may develop into an attachment.
Create a therapeutic climate that facilitates change.
Identify and resolve therapeutic ruptures.
Construct the therapeutic relationship based on attachment security.
Course Syllabus:
Alliance theory and research
Historical background
Essential concepts
Major clinical findings regarding therapeutic outcome
Attachment theory
Major concepts and research findings
Alliance and insecurity
Characteristics of avoidant attachment
Characteristics of anxious attachment
How insecurity can undermine alliance building
Alliance or attachment?
Shortcomings of alliance theory
Qualities of attachment that overlap with therapeutic relationships
Phases of client-therapist attachment
Translating alliance into attachment terms
Exploring in security
Creating a climate of security
Triggering the cognitive and emotional benefits of felt security
Therapeutic ruptures and their repair
Customizing the therapeutic relationship based on attachment security
Attachment theory and research can further augment our understanding of the therapeutic relationship by describing how the bond between patient and therapist unfolds, how insecurity impinges upon the formation and strength of alliances, and how a sense of security in psychotherapy promotes change.
