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Access Type

Open Access

Document Type

thesis

Degree Program

Psychology

Degree Type

Master of Science (M.S.)

Year Degree Awarded

2010

Month Degree Awarded

May

Keywords

Countertransference, Therapist Factors, Insight, Alliance, Training

Abstract

The current study investigated preliminarily therapists’ countertransference (CT) behavior and alliance quality as a function of therapist self-insight, a central CT management factor. Eight therapist-trainees were rated by a clinical supervisor on their degree of self-insight and then assigned to a high or low self-insight group. The groups were compared on therapist CT behavior, from both therapist and supervisor perspectives, and on patient-perceived alliance quality. Effect size estimates suggested that high self-insight therapists displayed more CT behaviors than low self-insight therapists (with small to medium effects), and that patients of high self-insight therapists reported higher alliance scores (with a medium effect). These findings, albeit preliminary and requiring replication with a larger sample, support the notion that self-insight plays a role in therapists’ use of CT reactions in the service of effective therapeutic interventions.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7275/836653

First Advisor

Michael J Constantino

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