The impact of alliance-focused and facilitative interpersonal relationship training on therapist skills: An RCT of brief training

Abstract

Research on standard methods of therapist training has found mixed evidence to as to whether standard training methods are effective. This study investigated the impact of a novel, research-informed training protocol that integrated elements of alliance-focused training (AFT) and facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS). Beyond traditional training techniques of didactics and lecture, the AFT/FIS intervention incorporated empirically supported video simulations of therapy, which were reinforced by role plays and deliberate practice on key therapeutic interpersonal skills. Fifty-eight graduate-level therapy trainees and professional therapists from various helping fields were randomized to one of two brief trainings in a multi-site RCT: (i) the AFT/FIS workshop or (ii) a more traditional demonstration training (DT) workshop. Participants were assessed on critical, relational therapeutic skills before and after the training. After controlling for relevant covariates, participants in the AFT/FIS training saw a marginally higher post-intervention level of overall therapeutic skills. Subsequent exploratory analyses revealed AFT/FIS participants also had significantly higher levels of specifically targeted post-training therapist skills (i.e., empathy, alliance bond capacity, and alliance rupture-repair responsiveness) compared to participants in DT. Implications for future empirical investigations and training initiatives are discussed.