THE DYNAMICS OF EMPIRICALLY DERIVED FACTORS IN THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP

The therapeutic relationship is the source of major concepts in psycho-analytic clinical theory. Such concepts as resistance, transference, countertransference, and the alliance are fundamental, even though there may be shifts in meaning between theoretical schools and clinical contexts. In the clinical psychoanalytic literature, disagreement exists over the nature of the alliance and its essential components. Empirical studies using reliable patient, therapist, and observer scales to assess the alliance demonstrate a correlation with psychotherapeutic gains. In the study reported here, thirteen patients were followed for 6 to 33 months of psychodynamic psychotherapy, during which time their views of the therapeutic relationship were assessed, and several experiential measures taken, all on a weekly basis. Statistical analyses reveal that the therapeutic relationship, as reflected in the patients ’ weekly responses to the St. Louis Therapeutic Relationship Rating Scale, has four distinct com-ponents: therapeutic alliance, resistance, transference love, and negativ