The treatment relationship: A conceptualization.

analysis of interaction in dyads is used as a general framework in analysis of the conditions for premature discontinuance in treatment. Two specific variables are conceptualized and related to clinician's ability to maintain patients' satisfaction level in treatment and enhance their continuance: (a) stimulus-response congruence-the extent to which clinician's responses provide feedback to patients that messages contained in their communication were received; and (6) content relevance-the extent that the content of the clinician's responses is perceived by patients as relevant to their definition of the content to be dealt with in treatment, Empirical evidence in support of the proposed conceptualization is cited and reviewed. Implications of the proposed conceptualization are outlined, particularly in regard to clinician's capacity to enhance patients' continuance.