The relationship between therapist in-session mindfulness and the working alliance
Date
2020
Authors
Lotstein, Ben, author
Quirk, Kelley, advisor
Coatsworth, Douglas, committee member
Brown, Samantha, committee member
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Abstract
Therapists' levels of mindfulness are empirically supported as an influential factor in psychotherapy. The current study developed a questionnaire with which to measure the impact of therapists' levels of in-session mindfulness (ISM) on clients' ratings of the working alliance, symptom change, and therapist presence. Forty-one therapist and client participants completed questionnaires addressing these variables, and results showed that higher levels of therapist ISM were related to higher levels of alliance and client symptom improvement. The relationship between therapist ISM and therapist presence was not found to be significant. Exploratory factor analysis of the new measure demonstrated support for a five-factor solution matching the structure of the measure on which it was based. Finally, discussion is offered around uses for the new measure and areas of future research surrounding therapist ISM and related topics.
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Subject
psychotherapy
mindfulness
working alliance