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Practicing social work involves unique difficulties, which may vary with seniority. This study aimed to identify these difficulties among social workers and social work students and to examine the associations between psychological flexibility (PF), self-differentiation (SF), and difficulties in practice in both groups. Ninety-one social work students and seventy-five social workers completed the following questionnaires: Difficulties in Practice, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire–II, and Differentiation of Self Inventory. Results showed higher difficulties among social work students regarding their professional competence. Social workers demonstrated higher levels of PF, while no significant difference was found in SF. SF and PF were positively correlated, and both were negatively correlated with difficulties in practice in both groups. Among social work students, a moderating effect of PF was found for the association between SF and difficulties in practice. The current study emphasizes the importance of developing SF and cultivating PF during social work education to enhance professional competence and reduce difficulties in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individuals with different attachment classifications (Secure, Avoidant and Preoccupied) may experience emotional closeness differently, in their intimate relationships but also as clients in psychotherapy. However, evidence for this assumption almost exclusively comes from research with selfreport questionnaires. Aims: In this paper, we use observer-rated measures to explore in depth how patients with different attachment classifications experience closeness and distance from the therapist in different phases of therapy. Method: Three patients' and their therapists' narratives about the therapeutic relationship at three time points during therapy were extracted and analyzed with two transcript-based observational measures: The Patient Attachment Coding System (PACS), which classifies patients' attachment according to their discourse behavior, and the therapeutic-Distance Scale-Observer version (TDS-O), which assesses the therapeutic relationship in terms of closeness, distance, autonomy and engagement. Cases were chosen from a larger research project due to their different prototypical attachment classification on the PACS. The narratives were obtained from Relationship Anecdote Paradigm (RAP) interviews in which the patients and their therapists narrated separately about meaningful interactions with each other, at early, middle and late phases of therapy. In addition, we followed patients self-report of the alliance and symptoms (OQ-45). Results: Although all patients reported experiencing discomfort with feeling distant from the therapist the therapeutic distance, the secure patient was able to reflect on his feelings and, in the therapist's recollection, was able to share them with the therapist. This allowed the therapist to harness these feelings for the benefit of the therapy. The avoidant and the preoccupied patients both experienced the therapist as distant, but the avoidant patient prevented closeness by a minimal expression of feelings, and the preoccupied described strong frustration with the therapist in a one-sided manner that prevented collaborative processing and left the therapist confused. Discussion: It appears that patient discourse is a stable (trait-like) component of attachment, while the therapeutic-distance is a process (state-like) component that may change along therapy. The discourse of insecure patients may hinder therapists' ability to adjust the therapeutic-distance to patients' needs. Therapists' knowledge about the ways patients with different attachment classifications communicate their proximity wishes may improve their attunement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how changes in clients' and their therapists' perceptions of the therapeutic distance relate to changes in their reported alliance. Alliance is commonly measured using self‐report questionnaires that provide information regarding the partners' bond and collaboration, but do not reflect the interactions or events underlining them. We developed the Observer Version of the Therapeutic Distance Scale (TDS‐O; Egozi et al., 2020) to assess components of the therapeutic relationship, including closeness–distance dynamics, autonomy and engagement. Sixty‐seven clients and their 27 therapists completed the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) and underwent Relationship Anecdote Paradigm (RAP) interviews in which they related narratives about their experiences with each other three times during psychodynamic therapy (after sessions 5, 15 and 28). The clients' and their therapists' narratives were rated on the TDS‐O. Clients' and therapists' decrease in their sense that the partner was too distant correlated with WAI increase, as did therapists' decrease in their opinion that the client was too close. Increases in both partners' engagement was also related to WAI increase. A clinical example of a successful case demonstrates these changes and highlights significant moments that might contribute to positive change. The study establishes the relationship between the alliance and therapeutic distance, and reveals discrepancies in the experiences of clients and therapists. Tracking therapeutic distance has the potential to refine therapists' attunement to their clients' emotional needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment theory provides a framework for examining closeness–distance experiences in the development of the therapeutic relationship. Objective: To examine changes in clients' and therapists' experiences of therapeutic distance along with psychodynamic therapy. Hypotheses: Clients' and therapists' comfort with closeness and distance will increase, and the client's autonomy and engagement will increase with time. Method: A total of 67 clients and their 27 therapists underwent Relationship Paradigm interviews in which they told narratives about their experience with each other, three times during therapy. The narratives were rated on the Therapeutic Distance Scale‐Observer (TDS‐O) version. Results: Growth curve analysis of the TDS‐O ratings showed that clients decrease in perceiving therapists as too distant and increase in engagement. Therapists showed a decrease in perceiving clients as too close and an increase in granting autonomy and engagement. A clinical illustration depicts these experiences in a client–therapist dyad. Conclusions: Therapists' awareness of clients' changing needs of closeness and autonomy may enhance attunement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]