Suicide ideation is related to therapeutic alliance in a brief therapy for attempted suicide

Abstract Objective: To investigate the role of therapeutic alliance on suicide ideation as outcome measure in a brief therapy for patients who attempted suicide. Method: Sixty patients received the three-session therapy supplemented by follow-up contact through regular letters. Therapeutic alliance was measured with the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAq). Outcome at 6 and 12 months was measured with the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). Results: Therapeutic alliance increased from session one to session three. Higher alliance measures correlated with lower suicidal ideation at 12 months follow-up. A history of previous attempts and depression had a negative affect on therapeutic alliance. Conclusion: The results suggest that in the treatment of suicidal patients therapeutic alliance may be a moderating factor for reducing suicide ideation