Empathic relational bonds and personal agency in psychotherapy: Implications for psychotherapy supervision, practice, and research

Although psychotherapy researchers have become increasingly interested in identifying common factors that contribute to effective therapeutic practices, across psycho-diagnostic categories and treatment approaches, relatively little attention to date has been focused on the impact of these research findings for psychotherapy supervision and training programs. To address this gap, in this article we describe key components of an integrative psychotherapy supervision and training program that focuses on the development of a strong therapeutic alliance as an empirically supported, common principle of change in psychotherapy. We review empirical research evidence that addresses the contributions of therapist empathic engagement for the development of secure, relational bonds, heightened client agency, and the development of strong therapeutic alliances, and we discuss the implications of these findings for therapy practice and supervision training. We conclude with specific recommendations for future research.