Η θεραπευτική συμμαχία: ορισμοί, αναστοχασμοί και θεραπευτικές προεκτάσεις

The present literature review aims to offer an in-depth examination and critical evaluation of the concept of the therapeutic alliance, as it has been historically unfolded in psychotherapy theory, research and practice. The construct of the alliance holds particular theoretical and practical significance for counselling psychologists, who are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic relationship and alliance as conceptualised in different models (HCPC, 2015), as well as the ability to engage in relational practice (BPS, 2015). The critical literature review therefore opens with an examination of the concept of the therapeutic alliance as defined and conceptualised in the major schools of psychotherapy. Core alliance measures are also presented and critically evaluated in relation to their methodological rigour and usefulness in alliance research and practice. The relationship between the therapeutic alliance and outcome is critically reflected upon, whilst giving thorough consideration to therapist, client and interactive factors impacting the development and maintenance of the therapeutic alliance, thus possibly mediating and/ or moderating the relationship between alliance and treatment outcome. Contemporary re-conceptualisations and critiques of alliance theory and research are in turn thoroughly examined and critically discussed. Taking into account the primacy of the therapeutic relationship in Counselling Psychology (BPS, 2005), the literature review concludes with a presentation of the therapeutic implications of alliance theory and research for practitioner psychologists in general and counselling psychologists in particular, irrespective of their therapeutic orientation, in order to enhance their therapeutic skills and efficacy.

NATO’s Internal Deepening, Endurance, and Expansion: Economic Incentives and Gains as an Explanatory Complement to Realist Alliance Theory

NATO endured the end of the Cold War in 1991, its members deepened their commitment to the alliance, and it expanded considerably. Its survival fundamentally challenges the logic of realism, prompting two essential questions. First, is it possible to salvage realist alliance theory in the face of its apparent failure to explain NATO's continuing operation? This article contends that realism is repairable and salvageable in this context. Second, if realism is still a viable argument about NATO's endurance, how can it explain it? This article adds a complementary and still-missing explanation to realism based on economic incentives and gains. It argues that economic considerations such as the high cost and complexity to research, design, develop, and produce cost-efficiently modern, sophisticated, and technically complex weapon systems represented a substantial financial undertaking for NATO's great power members. The unparalleled economic burden prompted allies to pull resources together instead of seeking security unilaterally or through other alignment alternatives. The economic imperative of the modern defense industry is an essential and overlooked variable among realist and non-realist perspectives. Economic incentives affected in unprecedented ways the strategic calculus of NATO's great powers and, thus, causes their increased commitment to the alliance, its endurance, and expansion.

Genealogies across the cold war divide: The case of the Pontic Greeks from the former Soviet Union and their ‘affinal repatriation’

This paper focuses on two historical moments in time and geographical locations, significantly situated at the beginning and the end of the Cold War of the Pontic Greeks’ recent past. The significance of these moments relates to the two encounters between the two formerly isolated groups of Pontic Greeks, separated by the Cold War divide: one in the East (FSU) and the other in the West (Greek nation state). It addresses the continuous reconceptualisation of state-family relations, including the Soviet policies of the state as family. The main hypothesis is that in the case of the Pontic Greeks ‘repatriation’, normally seen as ‘return to a place’, should be construed as ‘affinal repatriation’, meaning ‘return to each other’. The paper considers alliance theory (affinity by marriage), thus expanding the traditional concept of kinship (as consanguinity) while maintaining the idiom of belonging, including ideological foes as defined by the Cold War Divide.

Understanding Japan–South Korea Cooperation and Friction Through Neoclassical Realist Theory

The relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) 1 1 Used interchangeably with ‘South Korea’. has largely eluded theoretical explanations as to why these two allies of the USA continue to share a volatile relationship. The friction between these countries has largely been attributed to their colonial past. The historical aspect is no doubt an indispensable factor contributing to a fractured relationship. However, historical animosity in itself cannot explain the causes behind intermittent friction and cooperation. Bilateral relations between the two countries do not follow balance of threat theory predictions either. Alliance theory states that states will ally against a common threat. Despite this, Japan and the ROK have failed to cooperate even when regional threat level was high. Here, Victor Cha's quasi-alliance theory potentially sheds light on the puzzle. It stresses on the role of a third-party patron and its level of commitment to each of its allies as a determining factor in cooperation or friction between the regional players. The purpose of this article is to test the predictions of this theory. The article tries to determine Japan and the ROK’s perception of US commitment during the Obama administration and the Trump administration, respectively. The next task is to ascertain whether Japan and ROK actions reflected the predictions of the theory. The article concludes on theory implications in the recent climate of bilateral volatility.