Researchers in the field of psychology have long questioned what makes therapy effective. Study after study has shown that, after controlling for variables such as different therapeutic modalities, interventions, therapist experience, etc., the greatest predictor of successful therapeutic and behavioral outcomes is the relationship between the therapist and the client.[1] We call this bond the therapeutic alliance. What makes a strong therapeutic alliance? Think about your own experience of needing social-emotional or behavioral help from someone else. Chances are the issue(s) that brought you to that point touch on vulnerabilities that you don’t share with just anyone. What are the qualities that you need in a relationship to accept that help? Here are some common answers to that question: trust, empathy, non-judgmental acceptance, understanding, honesty, and accountability.
For those of us who interact with kids on the daily (parents and caregivers, school-based therapists, behavioral aides, teachers, afterschool staff, coaches, etc.) it comes as no surprise that relationship is the most powerful factor in supporting social, emotional, or behavioral change. The concept of therapeutic alliance can be generalized to include any support team.[2] In the Unconditional Education model, we seek to partner with all adults in a young person’s life as we work to support the social-emotional and behavioral health of the students that we serve. For this reason, we use the concept of the collaborative alliance to describe the relationship between the student/caregiver, the school team, and any other support people that the family identifies as important to the youth’s growth. When we are working closely with a student, we aim to establish strong relationships within the team built on the same qualities that were mentioned above: trust, empathy, non-judgmental acceptance, honesty, and accountability. There are three practices that we implement to build and maintain a strong collaborative alliance:
Maintaining a strong collaborative alliance, like all relationships, is a process that requires ongoing attention and dedication. It is not enough to engage in the practices above only when you first start working with a student. These practices must be integrated into every phase of treatment. By tending to and nurturing the relationship, you are focusing on the factor that has the greatest potential to help a student meet their goals.[3]
[1] Prusinski, Thomas, The Strength of Alliance in Individual Psychotherapy and Patient's Wellbeing: The Relationships of the Therapeutic Alliance to Psychological Wellbeing, Satisfaction With Life, and Flourishing in Adult Patients Attending Individual Psychotherapy. Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13: 827321.Published online 2022 Jan 31. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.827321
[2] Ablon, Stuart J., The Biggest Predictor of Success in Helping Someone Change: Social science research tells us what to focus on. Psychology Today, 2019
[3] Pierson, Rita, Every Kid Needs a Champion, TED TALK. May, 2013
For those of us who interact with kids on the daily (parents and caregivers, school-based therapists, behavioral aides, teachers, afterschool staff, coaches, etc.) it comes as no surprise that relationship is the most powerful factor in supporting social, emotional, or behavioral change. The concept of therapeutic alliance can be generalized to include any support team.[2] In the Unconditional Education model, we seek to partner with all adults in a young person’s life as we work to support the social-emotional and behavioral health of the students that we serve. For this reason, we use the concept of the collaborative alliance to describe the relationship between the student/caregiver, the school team, and any other support people that the family identifies as important to the youth’s growth. When we are working closely with a student, we aim to establish strong relationships within the team built on the same qualities that were mentioned above: trust, empathy, non-judgmental acceptance, honesty, and accountability. There are three practices that we implement to build and maintain a strong collaborative alliance:
- Center the voice of the student and family:
- Listening openly to gain a complete understanding of their experience(s)
- Expressing curiosity about their point of view
- Focusing on and elevating their goals, in their own words
- Transparency:
- Openly and consistently communicating about what we are doing and why
- Regularly sharing data (quantitative and qualitative) on progress towards the youth and family’s goals
- Accountability:
- Regularly reflecting with the team (formally and informally) on progress and interventions
- Soliciting feedback from students and families about how things are going, if they feel supported and understood, and if they feel like their experience is being centered and elevated
- Using the information gathered above to inform next steps in treatment
Maintaining a strong collaborative alliance, like all relationships, is a process that requires ongoing attention and dedication. It is not enough to engage in the practices above only when you first start working with a student. These practices must be integrated into every phase of treatment. By tending to and nurturing the relationship, you are focusing on the factor that has the greatest potential to help a student meet their goals.[3]
[1] Prusinski, Thomas, The Strength of Alliance in Individual Psychotherapy and Patient's Wellbeing: The Relationships of the Therapeutic Alliance to Psychological Wellbeing, Satisfaction With Life, and Flourishing in Adult Patients Attending Individual Psychotherapy. Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13: 827321.Published online 2022 Jan 31. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.827321
[2] Ablon, Stuart J., The Biggest Predictor of Success in Helping Someone Change: Social science research tells us what to focus on. Psychology Today, 2019
[3] Pierson, Rita, Every Kid Needs a Champion, TED TALK. May, 2013
Blog By: Robyn Ganeles, Clinical Supervisor
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