Establishing and maintaining a therapeutic alliance with substance abuse patients: a cognitive therapy approach.

Abstract

A positive, collaborative therapeutic relationship is an essential component of the cognitive therapy of substance abuse (Beck et al. 1993). To engage substance abuse patients in treatment, therapists will need not only to connect with the patients but also gain their trust. Otherwise, the patients will be less likely to benefit from treatment, and their rates of no-show and dropout are apt to increase. Therefore, therapists must work diligently to form a working alliance by demon-strating general good will and a respectful desire to help. Further, they must carefully attend to any signs that the patients are losing interest or having adverse emotional reactions, and intervene promptly.