Research Symposium

BIO

I am from Naples Florida and currently my research is focused on clinical uses of mindfulness and therapeutic alliance. In the future i hope to continue research and look into mindfulness's influence on juveniles, therapeutic rupture, dialectical behavioral therapy, and other clinical therapeutic techniques. As a career goal i hope to continue my education to get my master's in mental health counseling and work with juveniles in a community crisis unit and outpatient therapy programs.

Cultivating Therapeutic Relationship Among Counselors-In-Training: Impact of Mindfulness

Abstract

Therapeutic alliance has been identified as an essential factor in good therapeutic and treatment outcomes, although specific traits that lead to these benefits are still being examined. This research aims to analyze the impacts of using mindfulness techniques in counselors-in-training and how they influence the therapeutic alliance. Our comprehensive literature review analyses prior research on therapeutic alliance and mindfulness to investigate how mindfulness can impact the development, strength, and nature of the working alliance. Mindfulness techniques are rooted in Buddhist culture, and despite its longevity, the use of mindfulness-based intervention and tactics are fairly new for western clinical use. Research suggests further analysis of mindfulness techniques is warranted to gain a better understanding of its potential influences, specifically in the therapist-client relationship. The literature suggests that traits closely relating to mindfulness techniques such as empathy and awareness may have a positive impact on cultivating a better therapeutic alliance or relationship.

Keywords: mindfulness, therapeutic alliance, therapeutic relationship