The therapeutic relationship is often considered the cornerstone of effective psychotherapy. A recent study, "Moment-by-moment interpersonal behaviors in poor vs. good psychodynamic psychotherapy outcomes: Does complementarity say it all?" by Margola, Accordini, and Fava (2020), sheds light on the intricate dynamics that differentiate successful therapy from less effective ones. This research is particularly valuable for practitioners in online therapy services, such as those provided by TinyEYE, as it underscores the importance of interpersonal behaviors in achieving positive outcomes.
The study meticulously analyzed 160 therapy sessions, involving 20 patients divided into two groups: responders (good-outcome patients) and nonresponders (poor-outcome patients). The patient-therapist interactions were coded using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) model, focusing on the relational patterns that emerged.
Key Findings:
- Complementary Interactions Lead to Better Outcomes:
- Good-outcome patients and their therapists exhibited complementary relational patterns characterized by loving and protecting interaction styles.
- Therapists treating good-outcome cases employed protection and self-disclosure behaviors, fostering a supportive therapeutic environment.
- Disruptive Separation in Poor Outcomes:
- Poor-outcome patients tended to separate interpersonally from their therapists, engaging in attacking and recoiling behaviors.
- Therapists in these cases often mirrored these negative behaviors, which further disrupted the therapeutic process.
- Self-Disclosure as a Supportive Tool:
- Therapist self-disclosure was found to be beneficial in good-outcome cases, supporting therapeutic complementarity and fostering trust.
- However, in cases of failure, even experienced therapists sometimes indulged in noncomplementary or hostile behaviors, which could hinder progress.
Practical Implications for Practitioners:
- Foster Complementarity: Strive to engage in complementary interactions with patients. Adopting loving and protecting behaviors can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes.
- Use Self-Disclosure Wisely: When appropriate, self-disclosure can help build trust and support the therapeutic alliance. However, it should be used judiciously to avoid potential pitfalls.
- Monitor and Adjust Interactions: Regularly assess the interpersonal dynamics in therapy sessions. If negative patterns emerge, take proactive steps to address and modify these behaviors to support positive outcomes.
Encouragement for Further Research:
While this study provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research into the specific mechanisms of therapeutic complementarity and how these can be optimized in various therapeutic contexts, including online therapy.
For practitioners looking to deepen their understanding and improve their therapeutic skills, diving into the original research can provide a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Moment-by-moment interpersonal behaviors in poor vs. good psychodynamic psychotherapy outcomes: Does complementarity say it all?
