Examining the alliance using the psychotherapy process Q-Set

The alliance between therapist and patient was investigated using the Psych otherapy Process e-Set (PQS), an instrument that quantitatively describes t herapy sessions in a manner that captures the complexity of the therapy pro cess. More specifically, the PQS was used to examine the treatment processe s being assessed by observer ratings on the California Psychotherapy Allian ce Scales (CALPAS). Three PQS factors were found to be associated with alli ance: Patient-Therapist Interaction, Patient Capacity/Commitment, and Thera pist Countertransference. In multiple regression analyses with scales const ructed from these three factors, Patient-Therapist Interaction was found to predict alliance ratings, while the other two aspects of the treatment pro cess did not account for any significant additional variance in the allianc e ratings. Results suggest that Patient-Therapist Interaction plays a defin ing role in the alliance construct, as assessed by the observer version of the CALPAS.