The alliance in motivational enhancement therapy and counseling as usual for substance use problems

TitleThe alliance in motivational enhancement therapy and counseling as usual for substance use problems
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsCrits-Christoph, P, Gallop, R, Temes, CM, Woody, G, Ball, SA, Martino, S, Carroll, KM
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume77
Pagination1125-1135
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association
Place PublishedUS
Publication Languageeng
ISBN Number0022-006X1939-2117
Accession Number2009-22711-011. First Author & Affiliation: Crits-Christoph, Paul
Keywordsalliance, Counseling, Drug abuse, Drug Rehabilitation, motivational enhancement, motivational interviewing, substance use, Therapeutic alliance, Therapists
Abstract

Data from a community-based multicenter study of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and counseling as usual (CAU) for outpatient substance users were used to examine questions about the role of the alliance in MET and CAU. Most (94%) of the sample met diagnostic criteria for abuse or dependence (primarily alcohol and/or cocaine). Sixteen therapists for CAU and 14 for MET participated. No reliable differences in patient ratings (n = 319) on the Helping Alliance Questionnaire–II (HAq-II) were evident for MET compared to CAU, but significant differences between therapists were found within each condition in mean patient-rated HAq-II scores. Overall, average levels of alliance were high. The between-therapists component of the alliance, but not the within-therapist component, was significantly associated with self-reported days of primary substance use during the follow-up period from Week 4 to Week 16 (Cohen’s d = 0 .39; n = 257). Therapists with either low or very high alliances had relatively poorer average outcomes (quadratic effect, d = 0.44). For therapists in both MET and CAU, increased use of MET fundamental techniques and MET advanced techniques during treatment sessions was associated with higher levels of alliance. Implications of the findings for conceptualization of the alliance and for training of therapists are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)

URLhttp://libproxy.unm.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2009-22711-011&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=sitecrits@mail.med.upenn.eduhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829757/pdf/nihms-172173.pdf
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