Rupture and repair in the therapeutic relationship
Method Stream: Literature Review
ECs: Both 14 and 23 EC thesis possible
Description:
Ruptures in the psychotherapeutic relationship and the repair of these ruptures and crucial aspects of the psychotherapy process. Ruptures in therapeutic relationships can significantly impact therapy outcomes and can have detrimental consequences if not adequately repaired. The capacity to repair ruptures is complex skill that needs to be learned by psychotherapists in training. Each psychotherapy school has its own definition of ruptures and approach to repairing said ruptures – relatedly different ways of teaching repair skills.
The aim of this review will be explore and synthesize different approaches to ruptures and repair of ruptures in clinical psychology and psychotherapy research.
For the 14 EC thesis, a review can map theories of repair, measures of repair or outcomes of repairing ruptures. The review could take the form of a scoping, systematic, narrative review or a meta-analysis, depending on the research question.
For the 23 EC thesis, interviews and/or interpretive focus groups could be conducted with psychotherapists in training to explore the subjective experience and understanding ruptures and repair.
Suggested reading:
Chang, D. F., Dunn, J. J., & Omidi, M. (2021). A critical‐cultural‐relational approach to rupture resolution: A case illustration with a cross‐racial dyad. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(2), 369–383.https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23080
Safran, J. D., & Kraus, J. (2014). Alliance ruptures, impasses, and enactments: A relational perspective. Psychotherapy, 51(3), 381–387. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036815
Who are we looking for?
Students interested in psychotherapy processes.
What do we offer?
Support in literature review approaches and/or qualitative methods.