Clinical utility of early memories as a predictor of early therapeutic alliance

The present study aims to empirically explore the relationship between clinician-rated early memories (EMs) and patient ratings of alliance that were obtained after a therapeutic model of assessment (TMA; Finn & Tonsager, 1997; Fischer, 1994). This study utilizes the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale (SCORS; Westen, 1995) to obtain information from early memory narratives about an individual's level of object representations. With data gathered from 57 participants, the authors examined whether an individual's EM narratives can provide insight into his or her object representations and how such material relates to the development of an intimate connection with the therapist. Results supported our hypotheses as meaningful correlations were found between certain SCORS variables and patient-rated therapeutic alliance. The clinical utility and research implications of these findings are discussed.