Confessions of a New York rupture researcher: An insider’s guide and critique

Abstract

Objective: The study of alliance rupture has become quite prevalent since 1990 and especially in the past 10 years where we have seen a noticeable surge in empirical publications on the subject. This honorary paper attempts to provide a critical review of this literature from the perspective of someone who has contributed to it in his collaborative work on a research program designed to investigate ruptures and to develop intervention and training models to resolve them. Method: This paper is organized into three topics or sections: (1) alliance rupture, (2) rupture resolution, and (3) alliance training; and it addresses definitions, findings, questions, and lessons with regard to each topic. Results/Conclusions: It suggests some clinical conceptualizations (concerning agency and communion as well as mutual recognition), training implications (regarding emotion regulation and deliberate practice), and methodological considerations (promoting pluralism and contextualism), along with future directions.Clinical or methodological significance of this article: The paper provides a critical review of research on a possible risk factor and potential change process in psychotherapy, including related training strategies, that has important implications for treatment outcome and professional development.