Kremer, Paul D. (2016) Posttraumatic Experience as Mediator of the Relationship Between Therapeutic Empathy and Working Alliance. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Despite their accepted clinical importance, therapeutic empathy and working alliance are seen as complex constructs and their relationship with other factors remains empirically unclear. One suggested factor that may assist in a greater understanding is the influence of therapists’ traumatic experience. This exploratory study examined the relationship between self-reported therapeutic empathy, subjective resolved and unresolved trauma, and how this might influence therapists’ capacity for working alliance. Statistical modelling of data from a cohort of professional therapists and those in training (N =108) aged between 17-70 years revealed that, participants indicating the presence of unresolved trauma also indicated higher trauma related symptoms, with a medium effect. Participants indicating unresolved trauma had lower therapeutic empathy and capacity for working alliance, with a medium effect. Whilst, two subcomponents of therapeutic empathy (cognitive empathy and emotional empathy), significantly predicted working alliance, with a small effect. Finally, evidence suggests the relationship between emotional empathy and working alliance is mediated by intrusive symptoms related to posttraumatic stress, with a small effect. Practical implications from the present study include, the suggestion for the development of an early warning screen for professional therapists and students entering training programs. This screen may identify ‘at risk’ individuals directing them toward suitable support services. Also, that therapists or those in training should engage in self-care practices, which may include openly discussing trauma related concerns with supervisors, education and training staff. Findings from the present study suggest resolving trauma might be important for client outcomes in therapy.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Sue Littler |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Aug 2025 01:40 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Aug 2025 01:40 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | unresolved trauma ; empathy ; working alliance ; posttraumatic stress disorder ; wounded healer |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52477 |
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