Skip to Main Content

Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy
2025. Vol. 33, no. 2, 191–211
doi:10.17759/cpp.2025330209
ISSN: 2075-3470 / 2311-9446 (online)

Adaptation of the measurement methodology of the WAI(S) working (psychotherapeutic) alliance inventory (short)

 
Audio is AI-generated
162

, , , , ,

PDF (RUS)
Online translation in english
GS
Information
in Google Scholar
Metrics

Abstract

Context and relevance. The article is devoted to the primary adaptation of the WAI-S (Working Alliance Inventory — Short; Inventory of the Working Alliance — Abbreviated version) measurement methodology in a Russian-speaking sample. A therapeutic alliance is a specific relationship that is formed between a psychologist and a client in the process of psychotherapy and counseling, and is also related to the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Today, there are no adapted tools for measuring the alliance in the psychologist-client dyad in Russian. Goal. This study is aimed at translating, adapting, and evaluating the psychometric characteristics of WAI-S. Objective. This study is aimed at translating, adapting, and evaluating the psychometric characteristics of WAI-S. Hypothesis. The translated and adapted WAI-S methodology will have sufficient psychometric validity characteristics to use the work alliance assessment. Methods and materials. The study included a single slice after 4 meetings between the client and therapist, using a short version of WAI-S (Working Alliance Inventory-S) and the Session Rating Scale (SRS, Session Rating Scale, Miller, Duncan, & Johnson, 2002) to assess the approximate validity. The study involved 226 clients with an average age of 24.23 (min = 18, max = 58, mod = 21), and 228 questionnaires filled out by psychotherapists, 24 unique therapists (average age = 36, min = 22, max = 74, mod = 25). Results. The analysis showed high rates of internal consistency of the scales, a one-factor structure of the methodology was obtained in both the psychotherapist and client versions. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate the validity of the one-factor version of WAI-S and its suitability for use in Russian psychological research and practice.

General Information

Keywords: psychotherapeutic alliance, relationship between therapist and client, rapport, psychological counseling, psychotherapy

Journal rubric: Testing and Validating Instruments

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2025330209

Funding. The research was carried out as part of the scientific research work of the RANEPA state assignment.

Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful for the help in translating the questionnaire and collecting data for Shpichke A.V., Shapiro B.Yu., Belova O.Yu., Geraseva N.G., Chernyshov A.Yu., Bogodarova Yu.A., Doperchuk E., Romantsova I., Fedorenko E.Yu., Lunkov K., Lebedev I., Andryushchenko D., Drozdova I.A., Kiseleva S.K., Safina E.A., Bochkova T.E. and, of course, Adam Horvat for agreeing to the translation and adaptation of the WAI-S questionnaire.

Received 29.03.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Khlomov, K.D., Pavlenko, T.Yu., Varenov, M.A., Ozhigova, L.A., Agarkov, V.A., Savin, A.B. (2025). Adaptation of the measurement methodology of the WAI(S) working (psychotherapeutic) alliance inventory (short). Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 33(2), 191–211. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2025330209

© Khlomov K.D., Pavlenko T.Yu., Varenov M.A., Ozhigova L.A., Agarkov V.A., Savin A.B., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

References

  1. Воднева, А.Р., Орешина Г.В., Кустова, Т.А., Ткаченко, И.О., Цепелевич М.М., Григоренко Е.Л. (2024). Межличностная синхронизация в диадах «наставник—наставляемый»: Анализ невербальной синхронизации и эмпатии. Современная зарубежная психология, 13(1), 47—57. https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2024130104
    Vodneva, A.R., Oreshina, G.V., Kustova, T.A., Tkachenko, I.O., Tsepelevich, M.M., Grigorenko, E.L. (2024). Interpersonal synchronization in mentor—mentored dyads: An Analysis of nonverbal synchronization and empathy. Modern Foreign Psychology, 13(1), 47—57. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2024130104
  2. Люборски, Л., Калмыкова, Е.С., Падун, М.А. (2022). Принципы психоаналитической психотерапии: Руководство по поддерживающему экспрессивному лечению. М.: Когито-центр, 2022.
    Lyuborsky, L. (2022). The principle of psychoanalytic psychotherapist: the cauldron of treatment expressionally supports the leadership: the manual / L. Lyubovsky ; The Kalmykov family. S., Underground. A. Moscow : Kogito Center, 2022. ISBN 978-5-89353-642-3. (In Russ.)
  3. Милованова, Е.А., Бочавер, А.А., Хломов, К.Д., Павловский, А.И., Сковычева О.А., Богомолов, В.А., Дмитриевский, П.В. (2013). Шкала оценки результата (ORS): предварительные результаты адаптации русскоязычной версии инструмента для получения обратной связи от клиентов в психологическом консультировании. Консультативная психология и психотерапия, 21(3), 179—189.
    Milovanova, E.A., Bochaver, A.A., Khlomov, K.D., Pavlovsky, A.I., Skovicheva O.A., Bogomolov, V.A., Dmitrievsky, P.V. (2013). Outcome Assessment Scale (ORS): preliminary results of adaptation of the Russian-language version of the tool for receiving feedback from clients in psychological counseling. Consultative Psychology and Psychotherapy, 21(3), 179—189 (In Russ.)
  4. Орешина Г. В., Жукова М. А. (2023). История развития и современные исследования альянса в психотерапии и консультировании. Клиническая и специальная психология, 12(3), 30—56. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2023120302
    Oreshina G. V., Zhukova M. A. (2023). The history of the development and modern research of the alliance in psychotherapy and counseling. Clinical and Special Psychology, 12(3), 30—56. https://doi.org/10.17759/cpse.2023120302 (In Russ.)
  5. Орешина Г.В., Жукова М.А. (2024). Невербальная синхронизация и альянс в экспозиционной психотерапии детской тревожности: анализ единичного случая. Современная зарубежная психология, 13(1), 10—20. https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2024130101
    Oreshina G.V., Zhukova M.A. (2024). Nonverbal synchronization and alliance in expositional psychotherapy of childhood anxiety: an analysis of a single case. Modern Foreign Psychology, 13(1), 10—20. https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2024130101. (In Russ.).
  6. Пуговкина, О.Д., Никитина, И.В., Холмогорова, А.Б., Гаранян, Н.Г. (2009). Научные исследования процесса психотерапии и ее эффективности: история проблемы. Консультативная психология и психотерапия, 17(1), 30—63. Pugovkina, O.D., Nikitina, I.V., Kholmogorova, A.B., Garanyan, N.G. (2009). Scientific research on the process of psychotherapy and its effectiveness: a history of the problem. Consultative Psychology and Psychotherapy, 17(1), 30—63. (In Russ.).
  7. Пуговкина, О.Д., Холмогорова, А.Б. (2011). Терапевтический альянс в психотерапии Современная терапия психических расстройств, 3, 14—21.
    Pugovkina, O.D., Kholmogorova, A.B. (2011). Therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy. Modern therapy of mental disorders, 3, 14—21. (In Russ.).
  8. Alldredge, C. T., Burlingame, G. M., Yang, C., Rosendahl, J. (2021). Alliance in group therapy: A meta-analysis. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 25(1), 13—28.
  9. Baier, A. L., Kline, A. C., Feeny, N. C. (2020). Therapeutic alliance as a mediator of change: A systematic review and evaluation of research. Clinical psychology review, 82, Article: 101921.
  10. Bordin, E. S. (1994). Theory and research on the therapeutic working alliance: New directions. The working alliance: Theory, research, and practice, 173, 13—37.
  11. Cardoso, P., Campos, R., Taveira, M. D. C., Silva, F. (2023). Client factors and working alliance: a preliminary study in career construction counselling. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 51(4), 625—633.
  12. Corbière, M., Bisson, J., Lauzon, S., Ricard, N. (2006). Factorial validation of a French short‐form of the Working Alliance Inventory. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 15(1), 36—45.
  13. Duncan, B. L., Miller, S. D., Sparks, J. A., Claud, D. A., Reynolds, L. R., Brown, J., & Johnson, L. D. (2003). The Session Rating Scale: Preliminary psychometric properties of a “working” alliance measure. Journal of brief Therapy, 3(1), 3—12.
  14. Elvins, R., Green, J. (2008). The conceptualization and measurement of therapeutic alliance: An empirical review. Clinical psychology review, 28(7), 1167—1187.
  15. Flückiger, C., Del Re, A.C., Wampold, B.E., Horvath, A.O. (2018). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychotherapy, 55(4), Article 316.
  16. Goldberg, S.B., Baldwin, S.A., Riordan, K.M., Torous, J., Dahl, C.J., Davidson, R.J., Hirshberg, M.J. (2022). Alliance with an unguided smartphone app: validation of the digital working alliance inventory. Assessment, 29(6), 1331—1345.
  17. Gomes-Schwartz, B. (1978). Effective ingredients in psychotherapy: prediction of outcome from process variables. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 46, 1023—1035.
  18. Horvath, A.O., Del Re, A.C., Flückiger, C., Symonds, D. (2011). Alliance in individual psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 48(1), Article 9.
  19. Horvath, A.O., Greenberg, L.S. (1989). Development and validation of the Working Alliance Inventory. Journal of counseling psychology, 36(2), 223—233.
  20. Jennissen, S., Huber, J., Nikendei, C., Schauenburg, H., Dinger, U. (2022). The interplay between agency and therapeutic bond in predicting symptom severity in long-term psychotherapy. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 69(4), Article 506.
  21. Kivlighan Jr, D.M., Hill, C.E., Ross, K., Kline, K., Furhmann, A., Sauber, E. (2019). Testing a mediation model of psychotherapy process and outcome in psychodynamic psychotherapy: Previous client distress, psychodynamic techniques, dyadic working alliance, and current client distress. Psychotherapy Research, 29(5), 581—593.
  22. Loos, S., Tutus, D., Kilian, R., Goldbeck, L. (2020). Do caregivers’ perspectives matter? Working alliances and treatment outcomes in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy with children and adolescents. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11(1), Article 1753939.
  23. Luborsky, L. (1976). Helping alliances in psychotherapy. In Claghorn (Ed.). Successful psychotherapy (pp. 92—116). New York: BrunnerMazel.
  24. Marmar, C.R., Weiss, D.S., Gaston, L. (1989). Towards the validation of the California Therapeutic Alliance Rating System. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1, 46—52.
  25. Martin, D.J., Garske, J.P., Davis, M.K. (2000). Relation of the therapeutic alliance with outcome and other variables: a meta-analytic review. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 68(3), 438—450.
  26. Munder, T., Wilmers, F., Leonhart, R., Linster, H.W., Barth, J. (2010). Working Alliance Inventory‐Short Revised (WAI‐SR): psychometric properties in outpatients and inpatients. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy: An International Journal of Theory & Practice, 17(3), 231—239.
  27. Ogles, B.M., Lambert, M.J., Masters, K.S. (1996). Assessing outcome in clinical practice. Boston, USA: Allyn & Bacon.
  28. Plantade-Gipch, A., Blanchet, A., Drouin, M.S. (2021). Can alliance-focused supervision help improve emotional involvement and collaboration between client and therapist? European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 23(1), 26—42.
  29. Schlüter, R., Krebs, M., Göldner, J., Schaalo, M., & Adam, J. (2020). WAI-SR: Ein Messinstrument zur Erfassung der sprachtherapeutischen Beziehung? Logos, 28(4), 244—252.
  30. Strupp, H.H., Hadley, S.W. (1979). Specific vs nonspecific factors in psychotherapy: A controlled study of outcome. Archives of general psychiatry, 36 (10), 1125—1136.
  31. Takasaki, H., Miki, T., Hall, T. (2020). Development of the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form Japanese version through factor analysis and test–retest reliability. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 36 (3), 444—449.
  32. Tracey, T.J., Kokotovic, A.M. (1989). Factor structure of the working alliance inventory. Psychological Assessment: A journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 1(3), 207—210.
  33. van Benthem, P., van der Lans, R.M., Lamers, A. Blanken P., Spijkerman R., Vermeiren, R.R.J.M.&Hendriks V.M. (2024). The working alliance inventory — short version: psychometric properties of the patient and therapist form in youth mental health and addiction care. BMC Psychol, 12, Article 319. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01754-1
  34. Voderholzer, U., Beintner, I., Backes, B., Esguerra, E., Hessler-Kaufmann, J.B. (2021). Implementing videoconference CBT for depression in routine outpatient care: outcome, working alliance, and influence of patients’ technology commitment. Verhaltenstherapie, 31(3), 238—247.
  35. Wampold, B.E. (2015). How important are the common factors in psychotherapy? An update. World Psychiatry, 14(3), 270—277.
  36. Watson, J.C., Geller, S.M. (2005). The relation among the relationship conditions, working alliance, and outcome in both process–experiential and cognitive–behavioral psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Research, 15(1—2), 25—33.

Information About the Authors

Kirill D. Khlomov, Candidate of Science (Psychology), senior researcher at cognitive investigation laboratory, head of Psychological Service, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1016-6154, e-mail: kirkhlomov@yandex.ru

Timofey Y. Pavlenko, PhD Student at the Faculty of Psychology, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5477-1224, e-mail: timpavlenko816@yandex.ru

Mikhail A. Varenov, PhD Student at the Faculty of Psychology, junior-researcher at the Laboratory of Cognitive Research, Lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7737-9704, e-mail: michael.varenov@mail.ru

Lyudmila A. Ozhigova, Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Head of Psychological Service, Kuban State University, Krasnodar, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4513-0234, e-mail: Topvolna.72@yandex.ru

Vsevolod A. Agarkov, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Senior Researcher, Institute of Psychology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6405-744X, e-mail: aagargor@yandex.ru

Anton B. Savin, Candidate of Science (Economics), Educational Psychologist, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1820-4998, e-mail: savin@igk.ru

Metrics

 Web Views

Whole time: 506
Previous month: 113
Current month: 21

 PDF Downloads

Whole time: 162
Previous month: 37
Current month: 4

 Total

Whole time: 668
Previous month: 150
Current month: 25