“I Am Longing and Afraid to Depend on You”: A Case Report on Breakdowns of Therapeutic Alliance and Interpersonal Cycles in Complex Trauma
2024

Breakdowns of Therapeutic Alliance in Complex Trauma

publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Carolina Papa, Erica Pugliese, Claudia Perdighe, Ramona Fimiani, Francesco Mancini

Primary Institution: Associazione di Psicologia Cognitiva APC e Scuola di Psicoterapia Cognitiva SPC, Rome, Italy

Hypothesis

How do relational cycles between therapist and patient affect therapy outcomes in complex trauma cases?

Conclusion

The study shows that complex trauma and fear of intimacy can significantly disrupt the therapeutic alliance, impacting treatment effectiveness.

Supporting Evidence

  • The therapeutic relationship can be a healing tool for patients with complex trauma.
  • Fear of intimacy can hinder the establishment of a therapeutic alliance.
  • Patients with complex trauma often oscillate between needing and fearing intimacy.
  • Therapists can experience emotional distress due to the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship.
  • Qualitative analysis provides insights into the complexities of therapeutic interactions.

Takeaway

This study looks at how people with complex trauma struggle to trust and connect with their therapists, which can make therapy harder.

Methodology

Qualitative analysis of therapeutic interactions and collaborative reconstruction of the therapeutic relationship by patient and therapist.

Potential Biases

Potential biases due to the subjective nature of qualitative analysis and the reliance on clinical observations.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

The patient is a young woman working as a psychologist, with a history of complex trauma.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/brainsci14121207

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