Attachment and the Therapeutic Alliance in Family Therapy

The therapeutic alliance has consistently predicted client outcomes in psychotherapy. This study uses attachment theory as a resource in understanding the therapeutic alliance. Participants in this study were 27 mothers, 15 fathers, and 23 adolescents that participated in family therapy. Results indicate that mothers' reports of trust in their oldest child predicted the alliance, and adolescent ratings of trust in mothers and fathers moderated the relationship between therapy alliance and symptom distress. Implications for family therapy research and practice are discussed.

Acknowledgments

Portions of this article were presented at the 2002 annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The authors wish to thank Kansas Children's Service League and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund Grant #981223 for financially supporting a portion of this project.

Notes

* p < .05.;

** p < .01.

* p < .05.;

** p < .01.

* p < .05.;

** p < .01. ATM = adolescent's trust in mother; ATF = adolescent's trust in father.