Video-Tape Role Induction for Psychotherapy: Moving Forward

Role induction (RI) has been shown to decrease premature termination and to enhance the therapeutic alliance and symptom relief. We examine the effects of a video-tape RI on premature termination rates, outcome, and the process variable of therapeutic alliance. Sixty-eight clients and their therapists (N = 26) participated in the study. Each client completed baseline measures of symptom status before beginning the therapy. Clients were then randomly assigned to either a video-tape RI condition or a no videotape treatment-as-usual condition. After the first session of therapy, clients and therapists separately completed outcome and alliance measures. Providing a video-tape RI to clients as they entered therapy did not lead to better results in attendance, outcome, or process variables. Considering possibilities that lie beyond the design of this study, so as to understand these results, is encouraged in an effort to advance the field's thinking about RI and how it can best be harnessed for continued positive effects moving forward.