THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IN COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY - PATIENT PERCEPTIONS AND THERAPIST RESPONSES

A working relationship between the patient and therapist is an essenti al part of any psychotherapy, yet few guidelines exist for this compon ent of cognitive-behavioral treatment. Findings of therapy process and outcome research suggest that the therapeutic relationship strongly i nfluences treatment results, and that interpersonal factors and techni cal applications interact in forming an effective alliance. Considerin g the perspective of the patient, we identify general expectations and individual differences that can have an impact on the therapeutic rel ationship. Individual differences are discussed in four areas of clini cal interest: situational concerns; the effects of Axis I psychiatric disorders; sociocultural influences; and personality structure and sch emas. Efforts to understand the patient's perspective, based on an ana lysis of general expectations and individual differences, can assist t herapists in optimizing the relationship component of cognitive-behavi oral therapy.