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PSYC 405: Creating a Working Alliance (Rev. C5) Report a Broken Link

This course focuses on collaboration and the process of change in working alliances. You will learn to identify the nature of the desired change and develop an action plan that will facilitate change with a person, group, or agency. Knowledge and skills that are essential to this process include:

Knowledge:
1. Understanding the fundamental characteristics of a working alliance,
2. Understanding the fundamental characteristics of partnerships and groups,
3. Attitudes and skills in collaboration,
4. Problem solving and decision making, and
5. Models for action planning.

Skills:
1. Individual communication skills, and
2. Basic group facilitation skills.

Front Page

MacMullin, B (Producer). (2009). Overview model of skill assignments 1 and 2 [Video file]. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University.

Athabasca University. (2009). Skills involved in creating a working alliance. [Video file].

Unit 1: Understanding the Working Alliance

Required Readings
Amundson, N. E., (1995). Action planning through the phases of counseling. Journal of Employment Counseling, 32(4) 147-154.
Gelso, C. J., & Carter, J. A. (1994). Components of the psychotherapy relationship: Their interaction and unfolding during treatment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 41(3), 296-306.
Horvath, A. O., & Symonds, B. D. (1991). Relation between working alliance and outcome in psychotherapy: A meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 38(2) 139-149.
Kivlighan, D. M., & Schmitz, P. J. (1992). Counselor technical activity in cases with improving working alliances and continuing-poor working alliances. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 39(1), 32-38.
Ladany, N., & Friedlander, M. L. (1995). The relationship between the supervisory working alliance and trainees' experience of role conflict and role ambiguity. Counselor Education & Supervision, 34(3), 220-231.
Meara, N. M., & Patton, M. J. (1994). Contributions of the working alliance in the practice of career counseling. Career Development Quarterly, 43(2), 161-178.

Supplementary Readings

Supplementary materials are items selected by the course authors and/or course coordinator to enhance your understanding of the course content. You are not required to use these resources. You may wish to use the skills you are developing in the course to locate your own supplementary materials.
Andrusyna, T.P., Tang, T.Z., DeRubeis, R.J., & Luborsky, L. (July, 2001). The factor structure of the working alliance inventory in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, 10, 173-178.
Dykeman, C. (1995). An introduction to working alliance theory for professional counselors. Educational Resources Information Centre. Document Reproduction No. ED 387 755/CG 026 544.
Heppner, M.J., & Hendricks, F. (1995). A process and outcome study examining career indecision and indecisiveness. Journal of Counseling and Development, 73, 426-437.
Mallinckrodt, B. (1993). Session impact, working alliance, and treatment outcome in brief counseling. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 40, 25-32.
Nutt-Williams, E., & Hill, C.E. (1996). The relationship between self-talk and therapy process variables for novice therapists. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 43, 170-177.
Sexton, T.L., & Whiston, S.C. (1994). The status of the counseling relationship: An empirical review, theoretical implications, and research directions. Counseling Psychologist, 22, 6-78.
Tyron, G.S., & Kane, A.S. (1993). Relationship of working alliance to mutual and unilateral termination. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 40 (1), 33-36.
Ladany, N., Ellis, M.V., & Friedlander, M.L. (Fall, 1999). The supervisory working alliance, trainee self-efficacy, and satisfaction, Journal of Counseling & Development, 77, 4, 447-456.
Brechin, A., & Swain, J. (September, 1988). Professional/client relationships: Creating a 'working alliance' with people with learning difficulties. Disability, Handicap & Society, 3, 3, 213-227.

Unit 2: Basic Communication Skills

Required Readings
Hiebert, B. (2005). Generic interpersonal skills involved in creating a working alliance. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University.
Supplementary Readings
Martin, J., & Hiebert, B. (1985). Instructional counseling: A method for counselors. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press.
Westra, M. (1996). Active communication. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Grace, M., & Kivlighan Jr., D.M. (May/June, 1995). The effect of nonverbal skills training on counselor trainee nonverbal sensitivity and responsiveness and on session impact and working alliance ratings. Journal of Counseling & Development, 73, 5, 547-553.

Unit 3: More Communication Skills

Required Readings
Hiebert, B. (2005). Generic interpersonal skills involved in creating a working alliance. Athabasca, AB: Athabasca University.
Supplementary Readings
Martin, J., & Hiebert, B. (1985). Instructional counseling: A method for counselors. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press.
Westra, M. (1996). Active communication. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Ang, M. (2002). Advanced communication skills: Conflict management and persuasion. Academic Medicine: Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 77 (11), 1166.
Please download PDF version and scroll down to find p. 1166.

Unit 4: Collaboration

Required Readings
Baty, J., Hiebert, B., Peruniak, G., &338; Welch, D. (1997). Athabasca University certificate in career development: Innovative collaboration. In M. Van Norman (Ed.), NATCON Papers 1997, pp. 1-11. Toronto, ON: Toronto Guidance Centre.

Reproduced with permission.
Hiebert, B. (1992). [Introduction to Special Issue] Creation and mobilization of counseling resources for youth: An innovation in collaborative program development. Canadian Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 26(4), 215-221.
Howley, J. (1992). The role of professional associations in innovation. In M. Van Norman (Ed.), National Consultation on Vocational Counselling Papers 1992, pp. 52-55. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Guidance Centre.

John Howley represented the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association at the time that he gave this presentation. Reproduced with permission.
Supplementary Readings
Allen, J.M. (1994). School counselors collaborating for student success. ERIC Digest, ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services No. ED 377 414.
Carson, J.G., et. al. (1993). A model for faculty collaboration: Focus on academic literacy. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 366 261.
Grossman, P.L., & Richert, A.E. (1996).

Building capacity and commitment for leadership in preservice teacher education. Journal of School Leadership, 6, 202-210.

Click here to request a print copy of this article from the AU Library.
O'Conner, J., & Allen, R. (1997). How to engage your community in partnerships in education. Hamilton, ON: Industry-Education Council of Hamilton-Wentworth.
Shaw, L.R., Mcmahon, B.T., Chan, F., & Hannold, E. (2004). Enhancement of the working alliance: A training program to align counselor and consumer expectations. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 20, 2, 107-126.
Krumberger, J.M. (December, 1992).

Group facilitation: Building that winning team. Nursing Dynamics, 1 (3), pp. 9, 11-2, 14-5.

Click here to request a print copy of this article from the AU Library.

Unit 5: Problem Solving and Decision Making

No online required readings for Unit 5.
Supplementary Readings
D'Zurilla, T.J., & Goldfried, M.R. (1971). Problem solving and behavior modification. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 78, 107-126.
Krumboltz, J.D. (1983). Private rules in career decision making. Columbus, Ohio : National Center for Research in Vocational Education, Ohio State University
Martin, J., & Hiebert, B. (1985). Instructional counseling: A method for counselors. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press.
Spivack, G., Platt, J.J., & Shure, M.B. (1976). The problem solving approach to adjustment. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Wing, K.T. Simplications of feedback research for group facilitation... Small Group Research, 21, 1, 113-128.

View the abstract to this article in Academic Search Elite.
Westley, F., & Waters, J.A. (Summer, 1988). Group facilitation skills for managers. Management Education and Development, 19, 2, 134-143.
Bazan, S. (July-August, 1998).

Enhancing decision-making effectiveness in problem-solving teams. Clinical Laboratory Management Review: Official Publication of the clinical Laboratory Management Association, 12 (4), 272-276.

Click here to request a print copy of this article from the AU Library.
Samson Jr., J.P., & Lenz, J.G. (September, 1999). A cognitive information processing approach to employment problem solving and decision making. Career Development Quarterly, 48, 1, 3-19.

Unit 6: Partnerships and Groups

Required Readings
Borgen, W. A., Pollard, D. E., Amundson, N. E., & Westwood, M. J. (1989). A model for group employment counselling. In Employment groups: The counselling connection (pp. 17-38). Toronto, ON: Lugus Productions Ltd. in cooperation with Employment & Immigration Canada, and the Canadian Government Publishing Centre, Supply and Services Canada.
Flo Frank & Anne Smith (2000). The Partnership Handbook. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2000.

Supplementary Readings
Borgen, W.A., Pollard, D.E., Amundson, N.E., & Westwood, M.J. (1989). Employment groups: The counselling connection. Toronto, ON: Lugus Productions Ltd. in cooperation with Employment and Immigration Canada and Supply and Services Canada.
O'Connor, J., & Allen, R. (1997). How to engage your community in partnerships in education: Building new alliances for today's schools. Hamilton, ON: Industry-Education Council of Hamilton-Wentworth.
Sayer, L. (1993). The A cappella papers: Careers and future plans of young women in Canada. Ottawa, ON: The Canadian Teachers' Federation.

Unit 7

Required Readings
Flo Frank & Anne Smith (2000). The Partnership Handbook. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2000.

Supplementary Readings
Heron, J. (1993).

Group facilitation: Theories and models for practice. New Jersey: Adult, Career, and Vocational Education

Click here to request a print copy of this article from the AU Library.
Anderson, L.F., & Robertson, S.E. (May, 1985). Group facilitation: Functions and skills. Small Group Behavior, 16, 2, 139-156.