Volunteer client attachment moderates the relationship between trainee therapist attachment and therapist interventions |
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| Authors: | Vera Romano Jennifer I Janzen Marilyn R Fitzpatrick |
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| Institution: | 1. Educational and Counseling Psychology , McGill University , Montreal, Quebec, Canada vera.roano@mail.mcgill.ca;3. Educational and Counseling Psychology , McGill University , Montreal, Quebec, Canada;4. Institute of Community &5. Family Psychiatry , Jewish General Hospital , Montreal, Quebec, Canada;6. Educational and Counseling Psychology , McGill University , Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Abstract This study explored the association between attachment security of therapists (alone and in interaction with clients' attachment) and therapist interventions in early sessions of short-term psychotherapy. Trainee therapists and volunteer clients (N=24) in short-term therapy completed the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) as a measure of adult romantic attachment orientations. Therapist interventions were identified and related to client and therapist attachment orientation. Results indicated that in early therapy sessions client attachment moderated the relationship between therapist attachment and therapist interventions. Specifically, avoidantly attached therapists intervened with more directive interventions when clients were high in attachment avoidance. |
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| Keywords: | attachment orientation therapist interventions psychotherapy process |
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