Le Psyrep : outil médiateur de l’alliance thérapeutique chez l’enfant

Abstract

IntroductionThis study is about the concept of the therapeutic alliance in children. We developed a concept of the therapeutic relationship, based on the establishment of a triple alliance. The triple alliance child-psychologist, parent-psychologist, child-parent implies a possibility gap between the representations of the different actors of the therapy, may compromise the construction of the therapeutic alliance. ObjectivesThe current investigation search to determine whether in child psychotherapy, the work cognitive based on gaps representations between the actors would increase the therapeutic alliance. Materials and methodsA tool, the “Psyrep” was developed to evaluate the gaps between the representations of the therapeutic situation of the three actors (children, parents, psychologists). It is presented as a slide including 56 questions divided into three distinct conceptual categories covering seven dimensions. We asked six therapists to start two new psychotherapies for children. For one of these psychotherapies, the therapist used “Psyrep” to evaluate the gaps between representations of actors, and then conducting a work cognitive to increase convergence. For one other psychotherapy, the therapist intervened as usual. At the third session, the therapist evaluated the therapeutic alliance child-parent-therapist- using the questionnaire HAQ-CP. A total of 30 participants responded to the questionnaire of therapeutic alliance. ResultsOur results are consistent with our general hypothesis concerning the increase of the therapeutic alliance, following the cognitive work done with the “Psyrep”. Similarly, the feeling of wellbeing is increased in children following administration of “Psyrep”. The results are details and discussed. ConclusionThis study opens up new perspectives about engagement strategies of psychologists to increase the therapeutic alliance in children