Psychotherapists' rated working alliance in an internet-based intervention for bereaved siblings.

Bereaved siblings often receive insufficient social support and are at higher risk for mental disorders. This study aimed to examine the role of the therapist-rated working alliance in an online intervention for bereaved siblings. Clients (n = 74, 95% female), aged 17-59 received writing assignments and individual feedback by CBT trained therapists over 6 weeks. Working alliance (Working Alliance Inventory) and treatment outcomes (Inventory of Complicated Grief, Beck Depression Inventory-II) were assessed. Results revealed that the working alliance significantly increased during the course of the treatment and a significant association between working alliance and the change in depression was found.