Supervisory working alliance trajectories and client outcome in Chinese trainees

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigated the developmental trajectories of supervisory working alliance over time and their correlations with Chinese counseling trainees’ client symptom relief. Participants were 89 beginning counseling trainees from a master’s level training program in China. Results showed three clusters of developmental trajectories, including “Stable and Increasing,” “Rupture and Repair,” and “Bonding and Distancing.” Trainees with the first trajectory had greater client symptom relief. These results suggested the possible distinct clusters of developmental trajectories of SWA across beginning counseling trainees, and highlighted the potential benefit of maintaining a stable and strong SWA with trainees that could facilitate better client outcomes.