This article outlines strategies and tips therapists can use to address a rift in the therapeutic alliance identified by the Therapeutic Alliance (TA) measurement-informed care (MIC) survey.
Strategies for responding to ruptures in the therapeutic alliance
Here are some strategies and tips for addressing ruptures in the therapeutic alliance.
Understand ruptures can occur as a natural part of therapeutic work
Therapy isn't always smooth sailing. Ruptures, defined as any impairment in the therapist-client connection, can happen unintentionally. When they do, self-reflection is key for therapists. Ask yourself, “Did something I say come across poorly or dismiss the client's needs?” Clients can also contribute to a rupture in alliance, through confrontational or judgemental behavior towards the therapist. Regardless of the cause, once the disconnect is apparent, addressing and repairing the rupture is crucial.
Identify the source of the rupture
While client responses to the therapeutic alliance survey can reflect a rupture, look for additional signs. These may include sudden withdrawal (less talking, avoiding topics) or confrontation (dissatisfaction with your approach, personality, or treatment progress). Therapists might also experience emotional or physical cues themselves.
By combining these observations with client responses, you can initiate a discussion to repair the alliance. Here are some examples of how to address a rupture:
"I noticed you weren't as talkative last session, and your survey responses today reflected a dip in confidence about therapy. I appreciate your honesty, and so I'm wondering if something I said or did impacted your trust in our work together."
"I've sensed some distance between us since we had that difficult discussion about your substance use last session. Since I value my connection with you, I wanted to check in on how we are doing as a team."
"I noticed when I said [xxxxxx], your body language seemed closed off, and our conversation became one-sided. I also noticed myself relying on yes/no questions instead of open-ended ones, which isn't typical for me. This makes me wonder about that moment and what happened between us that I might have missed."
Use the repair as a clinical intervention
The process of repairing a rupture in the therapeutic alliance not only strengthens the client-therapist relationship but also helps model healthy conflict-resolution skills. It shows we care deeply about their perspective and experiences in treatment. So, let's not miss opportunities to mend the alliance whenever possible. Depending on the source of the rupture, reparative interventions may include one or more of the following:
- Work together to understand the breakdown (rupture event).
- Listen openly with a non-defensive, empathetic approach.
- Explore deeper issues causing the disconnect (e.g., perceived power differentials or communication styles).
- Clear up any misunderstandings, and model accountability and commitment to moving forward together.
- Review the goals and purpose of therapy.
- Explain the reasoning behind specific treatment approaches.
- Adjust interventions, tasks, or goals to better fit the client's needs, if necessary.
Key takeaways
A strong therapeutic alliance is key to successful therapy. Regularly checking its health allows therapists to spot and address ruptures quickly. This ensures clients feel heard and invested in their treatment.