The construction of the therapeutic alliance in couple therapy in two contrasting cases with depression

Abstract

This article reports an analysis of the therapeutic alliance in two contrasting couple therapy cases for depression with different outcome in terms of depressive symptoms. The System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (SOFTA-o) was used to analyze the therapeutic alliance established by all the participants, including clients but also therapists, during the first, sixth and last sessions of the treatment. The alliance is best assessed using micro-process analysis, allowing it to provide valuable information to the therapist on what is happening in treatment when a partner is suffering from depression. A collaborative alliance between both members is necessary in order for the therapist to establish a context of mutual support in which the couple is seen working collaboratively. Finally, there is discussion of the importance that the therapeutic alliance can make in couple therapy for depression, with mention also of the implications for research and for clinical practice.