ABSTRACT
In 2006, I suggested adding a new component to Ed Bordin’s (1979) three-component working alliance framework. He had argued that the working alliance was made up of ‘bonds’ (how well the therapist and client connect with one another), ‘goals’ (the purpose of therapy meetings) and ‘tasks’ (what each person has to do to help the client achieve their goals). I suggested adding a fourth component – which I called ‘views’ – to address the understandings that both therapist and client had of salient features to do with their therapeutic work. In particular, this covers their understandings of why the client had their problem(s) and how this (or these) could be best addressed. It also covers such practical issues as cost, the length and duration of therapy sessions, the length of the therapy itself and confidentiality. In general, shared understandings are a feature of effective therapy, whereas different understandings that cannot be resolved are an ongoing source of tension in the therapy and do not bode well for a good outcome.
