A half-century of psychotherapy research has shown that the quality of the therapeutic alliance is the most robust predictor of treatment success. This practical, theoretically sophisticated book provides a systematic framework for negotiating ruptures in the alliance and transforming them into therapeutic breakthroughs. The book is grounded in recent developments in relational psychoanalysis, as well as findings from the authors' highly regarded research program. Chapters spell out clear principles of intervention illustrated with extensive clinical vignettes and transcript material. Particular attention is given to the therapist's inner processes and the role they play in resolving alliance ruptures. Other topics covered include the use of therapist self-disclosure and metacommunication; interactional patterns of successful therapist-patient dyads; applications to short-term treatment; and guidelines for training and supervision.

Jeremy D. Safran, PhD, until his death in 2018, was Professor of Psychology at the New School for Social Research, where he served for many years as Director of Clinical Training, and Senior Research Scientist at New York's Beth Israel Medical Center. A renowned psychotherapy researcher, clinician, teacher, and mentor, Dr. Safran was past president of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He was a recipient of honors including the Senior Distinguished Research Career Award from the Society for Psychotherapy Research and the Scholarship and Research Award from Division 39 of the American Psychological Association.
J. Christopher Muran, PhD, is Chief Psychologist and Director of the Brief Psychotherapy Research Program at Beth Israel Medical Center, where he maintains a private practice. He is also Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed a fellowship in cognitive-behavioral therapy at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, as well as analytic training in the New York University Postdoctoral Program. He received the Early Career Award from the Society for Psychotherapy Research, and serves as an advisory editor for Psychotherapy Research. He is the coeditor of The Therapeutic Alliance in Brief Psychotherapy and editor of the forthcoming Self-Relations in the Psychotherapy Process.

Contents
1. The Therapeutic Alliance Reconsidered
2. Fundamental Assumptions and Principles
3. Understanding Alliance Ruptures and Therapeutic Impasses
4. Therapeutic Metacommunication: Mindfulness in Action
5. Stage-Process Models of Alliance Rupture Resolution
6. Brief Relational Therapy
7. A Relational Approach to Training and Supervision
Afterword
References