The therapeutic relationship itself has empirical support as a vitally important part of the efficacy of psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). When evaluating the competency of therapists doing generic (e.g., Beckian) CBT, three out of the eleven scoring items on the Cognitive Therapy Scale pertain to managing the therapeutic relationship. There is evidence that when working with patients with personality disorders, a skillful management and resolution of problems in the therapeutic relationship is particularly powerful in contributing to positive outcomes. With these and similar findings in mind, this webinar will address ways of spotting, addressing, and resolving strains and ruptures that may occur in the therapeutic relationship, whether the problem is one of overt tensions, or more subtle signs of client withdrawal. Emphasis will be placed on how we as therapists can maintain composure and professionalism even under duress, how to conceptualize the difficulties in the therapeutic relationship (including taking stock of one’s own role in the interaction with the client), and how to facilitate collaborative problem-solving to repair the strain or rupture, learn from it, and move forward with positivism. Numerous clinical vignettes will be utilized to illustrate all of the above.

CE Learning Objectives

Following this presentation, participants will be able to:

1.      Recognize strains and ruptures in the therapeutic relationship in order to attend to them.

2.      Maintain composure, hopefulness, and forthrightness in addressing problems in collaboration.

3.      Conceptualize the difficulties in the therapeutic relationship in terms of patient’s beliefs (schemas), the therapist’s responses, and their interaction.

4.      Communicate effectively toward the goal of problem-solving in the therapeutic relationship.

5. Facilitate a “corrective experience” for the patient.

About Presenter

Cory F. Newman, Ph.D. is Director of the Center for Cognitive Therapy and Professor of Psychology, in Psychiatry, at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Newman is a Fellow of ABCT, and in 2019 he was the recipient of ABCT’s Outstanding Clinician Award. Dr. Newman has extensive experience as a CBT supervisor both at the University of Pennsylvania and through the Beck Institute’s international training programs. Dr. Newman is a global lecturer, having presented cognitive-behavioral therapy workshops and seminars throughout the U.S., as well as in twenty-three other countries. Dr. Newman is author of over 100 articles and chapters covering many topics related to cognitive-behavioral therapy, and he has authored or co-authored six books.

Target Audience

This workshop is designed for licensed professionals & advanced graduate students with clinical experience who anticipate seeking licensure as mental health professionals. The instructional level of this presentation is INTERMEDIATE.

Continuing Education

• Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists*. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
• This program provides two (2) hours of CE credits.
• * PBTA does offer CE to licensed psychologists licensed in the state of New York. Attestation of full attendance and provision of license number post-event required to obtain certificate that meets NY criteria for CE.
  
• PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.Non-psychologist licensees in other states should confirm with their respective boards if this meets criteria for CE in their specific non-PA states.
  
• Full attendance with video display is required to obtain CE credit for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed. Registrants can log in and cancel up to 48 hours before event when registration closes.
  

Zoom video link will be sent to participants 48 hours before the event contingent upon membership being paid in full if membership rate was selected. NOTE: New membership period begins 2/1/23. Enrollment for non-members is automatically cancelled if registration fee is not paid within 15 minutes of registration. Past members who have not renewed membership will not be eligible for no-cost CE credits.

Recommended Readings

Cummings, J.A., Hayes, A.M., Newman, C.F., & Beck, A.T. (2011). Navigating therapeutic alliance ruptures in cognitive therapy for avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders and comorbid Axis-I disorders. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 4, 397-414.

Eubanks, C. F. (2022). Rupture repair. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 29(3), 554-559.

Muran, J. C., Safran, J. D., Eubanks, C. F., & Gorman, B. S. (2018). The effect of alliance-            focused training on a cognitive-behavioral therapy for personality disorders. Journal  of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(4), 384-397.

Newman, C.F.  (1997). Maintaining professionalism in the face of emotional abuse from clients. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 4(1), 1-29.

Newman, C.F. (2007). The therapeutic relationship in cognitive therapy with difficult-to-engage clients. In P. Gilbert & R.L. Leahy (Eds.), The therapeutic relationship in the cognitive behavioral psychotherapies (pp.165-184). Routledge-Brunner.

Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2019). Evidence-based psychotherapy relationships: The             third task force. In J. C. Norcross & M. J. Lambert (Eds.), Psychotherapy relationships that work (pp. 1-23). Oxford University Press.

Strauss, J.L., Hayes, A.M., Johnson, S.L., Newman, C.F., Barber, J.P., Brown, G.K., Laurenceau, J.P., & Beck, A.T. (2006). Early alliance, alliance ruptures, and symptom change in cognitive therapy for avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(2), 337-345.

Zilcha-Mano, S. (2017). Is the alliance really therapeutic? Revisiting this question in light of

recent methodological advances. American Psychologist, 72(4), 311.