CONTRIBUTION OF THERAPIST EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS TO THE WORKING ALLIANCE

The authors hypothesized that level of experience and selected persona l characteristics of therapists would predict clients' perceptions of the working alliance early in treatment. Therapists (N = 73) in univer sity settings completed measures that assessed level of self-directed hostility, perceived social supports, and degree of comfort with attac hment, and their clients completed a measure that estimated the workin g alliance between the 3rd and 5th sessions of therapy. As predicted, level of self-directed hostility, perceived social support, and degree of comfort with closeness in interpersonal relationships were signifi cantly predictive of the bond component of the working alliance. Contr ary to predictions, experience level was not uniquely predictive of cl ients' alliance ratings on the goal and task components of the allianc e.