Developing a Comprehensive Understanding of the Working Alliance in Community Mental Health

The concept of a working alliance as a key ingredient within therapeutic processes has been emphasized by many community mental health researchers and practitioners. However, few studies have provided insights into the dimensions and operationalization of the con-cept. To address this gap, the authors analyzed data on the working alliance derived from two qualitative data sets: (a) interviews conducted with 33 users of community mental health services, family members, and service providers; and (b) content extracted from a systematic review of 48 articles in the area of community mental health services. Three superordinate themes emerged: Building and negotiating trust, I’m on your side, and Tools and strategies. The authors discuss implications for community mental health practice