The establishment of a working alliance with low-income single mothers who have engaged in physically aggressive behaviors toward their children referred for counseling: Clinical social workers' perspectives about factors impacting on the process

This qualitative study utilized in-depth interviews to examine clinical social workers' perspectives about the factors which enter into the establishment of a working alliance with low-income single mothers who have engaged in physically aggressive behaviors toward their children. The study sample consisted of twelve clinicians who were employed in outpatient mental health or preventive services settings where these mothers brought their children for counseling services.; The study highlights the mutual processes which operate in the client/worker relationship and identifies several paths which help clinicians to empathize, communicate and contract with these women. The findings indicate that this challenging client population can be engaged in a meaningful alliance when clinicians are able to transform the involuntary aspects of the case into alliance-building opportunities. The study conclusions point toward the need for active, concrete interventions through which these clients can feel the clinician's genuine presence in their lives.