Therapeutic Alliance During Trauma-Focused CBT (1 CE)
Number of Credits: 1
This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and LMFTs
Course By: Ken Springer, PhD
Content By: Ovenstad, K. S., Ormhaug, S. M., Shirk, S., & Jensen, T. K. (2020). Therapists' behaviors and youths' therapeutic alliance during trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 88(4), 350-361.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000465
Course Description: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is recommended for treating posttraumatic stress in children and adolescents, and studies have shown that the effectiveness of trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) is influenced by the alliance between therapist and patient. The present study examined the predictors of therapeutic alliance during outpatient TF-CBT provided to youth 10 to 18 years of age who had previously experienced at least one traumatic event. The researchers found that the use of rapport-building behaviors by therapists was predictive of a stronger therapeutic alliance. However, therapeutic alliance was not linked to treatment socialization or elicitation of trauma-related experiences by therapists, except among youth who had been passively disengaged at the outset of treatment. The results of this study have implications for improving treatment outcomes among traumatized youth who receive TF-CBT.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the importance of therapeutic alliance and its potential role in trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT)
- Describe the main findings of the study concerning therapist behaviors that do versus do not contribute to therapeutic alliance
- Integrate the strengths and limitations of the study, and summarize the clinical implications for the use of TF-CBT to support youth who have experienced trauma
Course Outline:
- Read and understand Therapists' behaviors and youths' therapeutic alliance during trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
- Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
- Analyze the concept of therapeutic alliance and how it may contribute to the effectiveness of TF-CBT
- Understand how rapport-building behaviors, treatment socialization, and elicitation of trauma-related experiences could, in theory, promote therapeutic alliance
- Integrate the study's key findings, strengths, limitations, and clinical implications
- Work through the post-test questions, using the article as the sole basis for your answers
- Revisit the article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the relationship between therapists' behaviors and therapeutic alliance
Approvals:
Board Approvals | American Psychological Association (APA), NBCC, Florida Board - Social Work, MFT, Counseling, and Psychology, NYSED - Social Work, MFT and Counseling Only, American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders |
---|---|
CE Format | Online, Text-Based |