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Diplomas / Degrees

Certificate in Psychoanalysis, New York University (1998)
Fellowship in Cognitive Therapy, Clarke Institute, University of Toronto (1990)
Ph.D., Hofstra University (1989)

Personal Statement

Let me begin with a brief description of my background and experience, which I believe explains my philosophy of education (as well as psychotherapy). I have had intensive training in both the cognitive and psychoanalytic traditions, and have written extensively on a relational theory of self and change, which integrates principles from different theoretical orientations and from other scientific disciplines. I have devoted a great deal of my time and energy to psychotherapy research, applying a wide array of research methods and focusing especially on the process of treating and training. My philosophy of education is founded on a dialogic epistemology. Accordingly, knowledge is advanced by fostering dialogue among a plurality of perspectives. By confronting other perspectives and coming to understand them, we can clarify differences (in addition to similarities) in a more nuanced way and learn to enrich our point of view. We can move to a new, shared understanding of a subject matter that is more differentiated and articulated than the separate views with which the dialogue began.

Research Interests

Over the past 20 years, I have directed a research program aimed at the study of the therapeutic relationship –more specifically, the study of ruptures in the therapeutic alliance & the development of intervention models & training strategies to facilitate their resolution (supported in part by grants from the NIMH). We have developed various measures and procedures that have permitted us to identify critical patient-therapist interactions and to model the sequences in which they occur in the resolution of negative interpersonal process. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of the intervention strategies identified in our research with patients presenting with multiple diagnostic conditions and longstanding histories of treatment failure. We have also developed an approach to training that cultivates the skill of therapists to recognize and address negative interactions with their patients. The training model is primarily founded on principles from relational psychoanalysis and contemporary theories on affect regulation and intersubjective communication. It involves the use of experiential exercises to increase therapist awareness of their internal processes and their abilities to implement various resolution strategies, including metacommunication. The research program is currently testing the additive effect of this training in the application of a cognitive-behavioral therapy to a personality disordered population. The overall aim is to improve the effectiveness of psychotherapy by redressing failure rates due to difficulties in negotiating a therapeutic alliance.

Grants / Sponsored Research

Selected grant awards:

Principal Investigator: Resolving ruptures in the therapeutic alliance (MH071768). National Institute of Mental Health (2006-9).

Principal Investigator: Towards reducing the risk of treatment failure in psychotherapy; Training therapists to improve effectiveness in psychotherapy with comorbid patients. Singer-Hellman Research Awards (1999-2003)

Co-Principal Investigator: Problems in the therapeutic alliance (MH50246). National Institute of Mental Health (1993-6).

Books

Showing first 5 of 6. View All

L.G. Castonguay, J.C. Muran et al. (2010). Bringing Psychotherapy Research to Life. Washington: APA Books.

J.C. Muran & J.P. Barber. (2010). The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Apprach to Theory, Research, Practice & Training. New York: Guilford Press.

J.C. Muran. (2007). Dialogues on Difference: Diversity Studies on the Therapeutic Relationship. Washington: APA Books.

J.C. Muran. (2001). Self-Relations in the Psychotherapy Process. Washington: APA Books.

J.D. Safran & J.C. Muran. (2000). Negotiating the Therapeutic Alliance: A Relational Treatment Guide. New York: Guilford Press.

Recent Articles

J.C. Muran et al. (2009, 6). Relationship of Early Alliance Ruptures to Process & Outcome. Psychotherapy, 46, 233-28

J.D. Safran & J.C. Muran. (2006, 9). Has the Concept of the Therapeutic Alliance Outlived its Usefulness. Psychotherapy, 43, 286-291

J.C. Muran et al. (2005, 12). Evaluating an Alliance-Focused Treatment for Personality Disorders. Psychotherapy, 42, 532-545

J.D. Safran, J.C. Muran et al. (2005, 12). Evaluating an Alliance-Focused Treatment for Potential Treatment Failures. Psychotherapy, 42, 512-531

Other Scholarly / Artistic Work

Selected research papers:

J.C. Muran (2002, 6). A Relational Approach to Understanding Change: Plurality & Contextualism in a Psychotherapy Research Program. Psychotherapy Research, 12, 113-138

J.D. Safran & J.C. Muran (1996, 6). The Resolution of Ruptures in the Therapeutic Alliance. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 42, 512-531

J.C. Muran et al. (1995, 8). Linking In-Session Change to Overall Outcome. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 63, 651-657

J.C. Muran et al. (1994, 2). Patient Pretreatment Interpersonal Problems & the Therapeutic Alliance. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 62, 185-190

Honors and Accomplishments

Fellow, American Psychological Association, Divisions 12 (2007) & 29 (2008)

President, North American Society for Psychotherapy Research (2005-7)

Professional Activities

Director, Brief Psychotherapy Research Program, Beth Israel Medical Center (1990-Present)

Editor, Psychotherapy Research (2010-2015); Editorial Boards, Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology (2008-Present), Psychotherapy Research (1997-Present), Psychotherapy (2004-Present)

Licenses & Certifications

New York State Licensed Psychologist

National Register of Health Service Providers