The Session Rating Scale: Preliminary Psychometric Properties of a “Working” Alliance Measure

a positive alliance is one of the best predictors of outcome. Paradoxically, despite the robust connection between the alliance and outcome, no alliance measures have been developed specifically as clinical tools for therapists to use on a day-to-day basis with their clients. This article describes the development and validation of an ultra-brief alliance measure, the Session Rating Scale Version 3 (SRS). The instrument’s psychometric prop-erties are examined and reported. Based on experience with the instrument at the various sites in the study, the feasibility of the scale is also considered. Results indicate that the SRS, a clinical rather than research tool, represents a balanced tradeoff between the relia-bility and validity of the longer research measures, and the feasibility of this brief scale. Results and implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed