This study investigated the hypothesis that the setting of explicit time-limits in individual counseling enhances the formation of the therapeutic alliance. Students at a university-based counseling center were randomly assigned to a 5-session, time-limited therapy condition (n = 16) or a time-unlimited therapy condition (n = 15). Contrary to the hypothesis, statistical analyses showed no differences between audio-taped segments from the second and third therapy sessions rated on the Vanderbilt Therapeutic Alliance Scale.
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