Abstract

TORRES, Ana Paula Fernandes et al. Therapeutic alliance and adherence to online CognitiveBehavioral Therapy for alcohol addiction. Rev. bras.ter. cogn. [online]. 2022, vol.18, n.1, pp. 04-18. ISSN 1808-5687.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1808-5687.20220004.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) shows ample evidence of effectiveness for alcoholism treatment. However, there are few studies regarding the effectiveness of online CBT and the role of therapeutic alliance in that modality. The present study aims to evaluate therapeutic alliance in the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder between groups that adhered (n=13) or not (n = 8) to CBT videoconference. This study includes 21 clients from different parts of Brazil. They attended 12 sessions of treatment about coping skills delivered by the internet, with three therapists, in two clinical studies. Therapists (WAI-T) and clients (WAI-C) answered the Working Alliance Inventory. In the group that adhered, the mean score of WAI-T in the fourth session was significantly higher, including the general scale, goals, tasks, and bond subscales. There was no significant difference in WAI-C. Among those who adhered, clients and therapists perceived a high therapeutic alliance throughout the psychotherapeutic process, and there was a significant reduction in alcohol consumption. Sociodemographic factors, computer use, and face-to-face assessment did not interfere with alliance and adherence. In conclusion, the therapeutic alliance can be established and maintained in internet-based interventions with alcohol dependents, and there is evidence of its influence on treatment adherence.

Keywords : Therapeutic Alliance; Internet-Based Intervention; Alcoholism.

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