Italian validation of system for observing family therapy alliances (softa-o) and preliminary results in couple therapy

Much of the empirical data confirm the importance of Therapeutic Alliance (TA) as an essential factor to positive outcome across treatment modalities (Anker et al. 2010; Steven et al., 2003; Martin et al., 2000; Johnson & Talitman, 1997; Horvath & Symonds, 1991) including Couple Therapy (Bartle-Haring et al., 2012; Friedlander et al., 2006; Pinsof, Catherall, 1986). The most study come from individual psychotherapy. In Italy we have very few contributions about TA in couple therapy (CT). In couple therapy there are multiple levels of alliance: patient whit therapist, partner with therapist, intra-family alliance (Pinsof, 1994; Friedlander et al., 2011). For these reasons, study of alliance-related behavior in family therapy requires measurement at both the individual and the system level (Friedlander et al., 2008). The aim of this study is to present Italian validation of SOFTA-o (Friedlander, Escudero, 2003) and preliminary results in couple therapy whit different termination: clients ended with agreement with the therapist, ended treatment against therapist recommendation or “no showed” (Bartle-Haring et al., 2012). SOFTA-o, System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances, is a transtheoretical and multidimensional instrument that provides observational ratings of individual family members’ alliances as well as the family unit’s within-system alliance. The behaviors, positive and negative, verbal and nonverbal, are clustered within four dimensions: Engagement in the Therapeutic Process, Emotional Connection with the Therapist, Safety within the Therapeutic System, and Shared Sense of Purpose within the Family. The raters, also, observe specific therapist interventions that either contribute to or detract from the alliance dimensions.