Impact of confrontations by therapists on impairment and utilization of the therapeutic alliance

Objective: Striking the balance between creating challenge through confrontation (drawing attention to discrepancies) to encourage change and offering support through the therapeutic relationship to ensure safety for patients represents a central issue for psychotherapists. The aim of the present study was to assess immediate effects of confrontations by therapists on the therapeutic alliance. Method: We rated video recordings of 77 therapies to measure incidences of alliance ruptures/resolution attempts as well as confrontations by therapists. Change in the therapeutic alliance and therapy outcome were measured through questionnaires filled out by patients. Results: Confrontations were significantly associated with ruptures/resolution attempts on the micro level. Changes in the therapeutic alliance moderated the association between confrontations and alliance ruptures on the macro level: The bigger the fraction of a session containing confrontations, the larger the fraction containing ruptures, given a prior positive change in the therapeutic alliance. Therapists’ use of confrontation during a resolution attempt was associated with significantly better therapy outcomes than no use of confrontation during or no resolution attempt. Conclusions: Confrontations by therapists may temporarily impair the therapeutic alliance, but might also lead to better therapy outcomes when used to make an alliance rupture explicit as part of a resolution attempt. Clinical or methodological significance: This study provides quantitative explorations of therapists’ fears and hopes regarding the use of confrontations (defined as focus on a discrepancy by the therapist). Results point to associations between confrontations and alliance ruptures, especially in the context of a secure alliance. Furthermore, resolution attempts might profit from initial confrontations regarding the relevant alliance rupture.