Ispas

A Comparison of the Importance of Therapeutic Alliance in Psychotherapy with Adolescents and Adults

Viorel S. Ispas

Adolescence is characterized by rapid and complex developmental changes, which are distinct from childhood and adulthood. Therefore, the mental health needs of adolescents may be different from other populations. Ample research in the area of psychotherapy shows that a key predictor of successful therapy outcome is the strength of the relationship between the client and the mental health professional providing therapy, the therapeutic alliance, which may be even more important with adolescents. This study uses assessments of client symptoms, stressors, and the perceived strength of relationship between client and mental health professional to test for differences in therapeutic alliance in adults and adolescents. The study results show that the Therapeutic Alliance Score for adolescents (M=0.38) was significantly higher than for adults (M=0.08) at the p<.001 level. This supports the hypothesis that adolescents feel a weaker connection to mental health care providers, with adults showing a statistically significant difference in strength of a therapeutic alliance. Yet, this difference in therapeutic alliance does not seem to have influenced positive symptoms change. Instead, adolescents may be more likely to express negative feelings towards mental health care providers when compared to adults, even if a meaningful therapeutic alliance is formed. More research is needed to understand the factors that influence a therapeutic alliance with adolescents and how this then influences positive symptoms change.

Keywords: Adolescent psychotherapy, adolescent counseling, therapeutic alliance, therapeutic relationship, working alliance, adolescents and adults psychotherapy comparison, therapeutic alliance importance.