Jj. Cecero et al., Focus on therapeutic alliance: The psychometric properties of six measuresacross three treatments, PSYCHOTHER, 38(1), 2001, pp. 1-11
The psychometric properties of six measures of therapeutic alliance (Califo
rnia Psychotherapy Alliance Scales; Penn Helping Alliance Rating Scale; Van
derbilt Therapeutic Alliance Scale; and the Working Alliance Inventory-ther
apist, client, and rater versions) were compared in a sample of substance-d
ependent individuals participating in a randomized clinical trial of three
psychotherapies. Internal consistency, interrater reliability, and intercor
relations among the instruments were evaluated. Results supported the const
ruct validity of the therapeutic alliance and indicated that all six measur
es had acceptable reliabilities. Correlations between observer and particip
ant measures were comparatively low. Reliabilities did vary, however, by tr
eatment condition, suggesting that psychometric properties, and by extensio
n alliance-process-outcome relationships, may vary across treatments.