Therapeutic Alliance in Child Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Authors

  • Cibele Carvalho Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS
  • Guilherme Pacheco Fiorini Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS
  • Vera Regina Röhnelt Ramires Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos - UNISINOS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2015.4.19139

Keywords:

Therapeutic alliance, psychotherapy, children.

Abstract

The present study focused on the alliance therapeutic in child psychotherapy. The literature emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy process, considering it a fundamental element for the success of treatment. This study systematically reviewed the research literature with aim to identify and analyze studies about this research focus. It was identified 26 separate studies that met criteria for inclusion. The review revealed a significant increase in research with this focus in the last decade, revealing characteristics of the patient, the therapist and the family that are related to the quality of the alliance between therapist and patient. It was also evidenced the strong association of the therapeutic alliance to effective treatment outcomes. We emphasize the need for better conceptualization of the phenomenon for the children, as well as its integration with instruments that measure the therapeutic alliance’s complexity.

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Published

2015-12-08

How to Cite

Carvalho, C., Fiorini, G. P., & Ramires, V. R. R. (2015). Therapeutic Alliance in Child Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Psico, 46(4), 503–512. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2015.4.19139

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 4 (2015)

Section

Artigo de Revisão

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