The Differential Relations of Perceived Goal Agreement and Actual Goal Agreement With Early Therapeutic Outcome

This study concerns the influence of perceived and actual goal agreement between therapist and client on measures of early change. The results from 24 therapeutic dyads at 3 university counseling centers support the hypothesis that actual goal agreement between therapist and client is related to early change, while perceived goal agreement is not. Client-therapist agreement concerning the amount of external control over the client's problem, and agreement concerning the degree of focus on stabilization were very important predictors of client rated change. However, more therapist rated improvement was associated with greater focus on stabilization and a greater sense of stability by the client, rather than the therapist. For client rated early change, improvement was associated with greater perceptions of personal control on the part of the therapist. The findings raise questions concerning the definition and measurement of the working alliance, and offer some support for the social influence model. Clinical implications as well as directions for future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Reddin, Jana Michelle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Farmer, Helen S.

• Psychology, Clinical

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9955662

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80377