Powner, Joshua, authorQuirk, Kelley, advisorLuong, Gloria, committee memberHarman, Jennifer, committee member2020-09-072020-09-072020https://hdl.handle.net/10217/212045The psychotherapy working alliance is a dynamic construct that may exhibit periods of strength or periods of strain. However, current methods to assess the working alliance is problematic in identifying fluctuations. Assessing fluctuations may allow for better tracking of the working alliance, which in turn may help therapists to tailor their approaches accordingly. The current study developed and evaluated the Session Specific Alliance Measure (SSAM), examining its reliability as well as construct, concurrent, and predictive validity. A small sample (N = 47) of clients treated by 14 therapists were surveyed at a university health clinic. Findings in the current study reflect only one wave of data, despite attempts to collect multiple waves of data. These findings support the SSAM to reliably assess the working alliance as well as support its construct validity. However, findings failed to support the SSAM's concurrent and predictive validity. Limitations and future directions are discussed.born digitalmasters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.reliabilitySSAMworking alliancesession specific alliance measurepsychotherapyvalidityText