University of Twente Student Theses
The Psychology of Repair : A Grounded Theory Review of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Approaches for Navigating Therapeutic Relationships
Chidi-Njemanze, Nicole (2025) The Psychology of Repair : A Grounded Theory Review of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Approaches for Navigating Therapeutic Relationships.
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| Abstract: | Ruptures in the therapeutic relationship are disruptions in the client-therapist relationship that, if not adequately addressed, can undermine therapy outcomes. While previous research has explored rupture conceptualisation and repair strategies in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), existing findings remain fragmented. This literature review synthesises existing literature through a Grounded Theory methodology to provide a comprehensive and structured understanding of ruptures and their repair strategies within the CBT framework. The review identifies four core rupture dimensions: Impact on the Therapeutic Relationship, Nature and Intensity of Ruptures, Rupture Characteristics: Confrontation vs. Withdrawal, and Opportunity for Change. These findings suggest that ruptures in CBT are understood as disruptions within the therapeutic relationship, defined by relational and behavioural dynamics. Furthermore, this review offers an integrative definition of rupture within the CBT framework, positioning ruptures as opportunities for change that arise from varying degrees of disruptions in one or more core components of the therapeutic relationship, characterised by either confrontation or withdrawal behaviours. In addition, the review organises CBT repair strategies into a tiered model comprising three key levels: (1) Assessment and Detection, (2) Repair Skills, and (3) Repair training. These findings equip therapists with techniques for managing ruptures adaptively. While this review integrates and extends existing literature, limitations include the reliance on secondary research and the lack of triangulation. Future studies can address these limitations by incorporating multiple coders and alternative research methods. Overall, this review advances the understanding of rupture and repair in CBT, offering practical tools for therapists and contributing to both research and clinical practice. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/105291 |
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