J. Christopher Muran | Faculty Profiles

Diplomas/Degrees

Certificate in Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, New York University (1998)

Fellowship in Cognitive Therapy, Clarke Institute, University of Toronto (1990)

Ph.D., Combined Professional-Scientific Psychology, 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.

See biosketch on Wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Christopher_Muran

Recent Courses

S/T: Negotiating Emotion, Difference & Rupture In The Therapeutic Relationship

Doctoral Thesis Supervision I

Doctoral Thesis Supervision II

Doctoral Thesis Supervision III

Doctoral Thesis IV: Dissertation Supervision

Ongoing Dissertation Supervision

Ongoing Doctoral Thesis Supervision

Psychological Research II

Psychological Research III

Psychological Research IV

Specialization/Interests

History of psychotherapy
Psychotherapy integration & difference
Therapeutic relationship & alliance
Therapist position & experience
Treatment impasse & failure
Performance under pressure
Theories on self & culture

Research Interests

Since 1990, 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 problematic patient-therapist interactions (such as ruptures) and to model the sequences in which they occur in the resolution of such negative interpersonal process. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of an intervention model derived from our research with patients presenting with multiple diagnostic conditions (including personality disorders) 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 emotion 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 currently continues to study the training process in addition to the change process in psychotherapy. The overall aim is to improve the effectiveness of psychotherapy by redressing failure rates due to difficulties in negotiating a therapeutic alliance.

See the following links re our Center for Alliance-Focused Training (http://www.therapeutic-alliance.org/) and my Research Lab (https://www.therapeutic-alliance.org/the-muran-lab.html).

Books

C.F. Eubanks, L.W. Samstag, & J.C. Muran, eds. (in press). Rupture and Repairs in Psychotherapy: Multiple Perspectives on Common Clinical Challenges. American Psychological Association Books.

J.C. Muran & C.F. Eubanks (2020). Therapist Performance under Pressure: Negotiating Emotion, Difference, and Rupture. Washington, DC: APA Books.

L.G. Castonguay & J.C. Muran, eds. (2016). Practice-Oriented Research in Psychotherapy: Building Partnerships between Clinicians and Researchers (Special Issue Reprint from Psychotherapy Research). Oxford, United Kingdom: Routledge.

A.W. Wolf, M.R. Goldfried, & J.C. Muran, eds. (2013). Transforming Negative Reactions to Clients: From Frustration to Compassion. Washington, DC: APA Books.

J.C. Muran & J.P. Barber, eds. (2010). The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press (Italian translation).

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

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

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

J.D. Safran & J.C. Muran (2000). Negotiating the Therapeutic Alliance: A Relational Treatment Guide. New York, NY: Guilford Press (Spanish & Italian translations; also in paperback).

J.D. Safran & J.C. Muran, ed. (1998). The Therapeutic Alliance in Brief Psychotherapy. Washington, DC: APA Books (Italian translation).

Chapters

Selected chapters (22/55) since (2000). See PDFs at ResearchGate.

Muran, J.C., Eubanks, C.F., & Samstag, L.W. (in press) Rupture in a wicked and wonderful world. In Rupture and Repairs in Psychotherapy: Multiple Perspectives on Common Clinical Challenges. American Psychological Association Books.

Barber, J. P., Muran, J.C., McCarthy, K.S., Keefe, R.J., & Zilcha-Mano, S. (in press). Research on Psychodynamic Therapies. In M. Barkhum, Lutz, W., & Castonguay, L.G. (Eds.), Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (7th Edition). John Wiley & Sons.

Eubanks, C.F., Muran, J.C., & Safran, J.D. (2019). In J.C. Norcross & M.J. Lambert (eds.), Psychotherapy relationships that work (3^rd Edition, pp. 549-579). Oxford University Press.

Muran, J.C. & Safran, J.D. (2017). Therapeutic alliance ruptures. In A.E. Wenzel (Eds.). Sage Encyclopedia of Abnormal & Clinical Psychology (pp. 3512-3514). Sage Publications.

Wolfe, A.W., Goldfried, M.R., & Muran, J.C. (2017). Therapist negative reactions: how to transform toxic experiences (pp. 175-192). How and why some therapists are better than others; understanding therapist effects. American Psychological Association Books.

Tufekcioglu, S., & Muran, J. C. (2014). A Relational Approach to Personality Disorder and Alliance Rupture. In Livesley, J.W., Dimaggio, G. & Clarkin, J.F. (Eds.). Integrated Modular Treatment for Personality Disorders. Guilford Press.

Barber, J. P., Muran, J.C., McCarthy, K.S., & Keefe, R.J. (2013). Research on Psychodynamic Therapies. In M.J. Lambert (Eds.), Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (6th Edition, pp. 443-494). John Wiley & Sons.

Muran, J.C., & Hungr, C. (2013). Power Plays, Negotiation, & Mutual Recognition in the Therapeutic Alliance. In In A.W. Wolf, M.R. Goldfried, & J.C. Muran (Eds.). Transforming Negative Reactions to Clients: From Frustration to Compassion. (pp. 23-44). American Psychological Association Books.

Safran, J.D., Muran, J.C., & Eubanks-Carter, C. (2011). Repairing Alliance Ruptures. In J.C. Norcross (Eds.). Psychotherapy Relationships That Work: Evidence-Based Responsiveness (2nd Edition, pp. 224-238). Oxford University Press.

Eubanks-Carter, C, Muran, J.C., Safran, J.D., & Hayes, J.A. (2011). Interpersonal Interventions for Maintaining an Alliance. In L.M. Horowitz & S. Strack (Eds.). Handbook of Interpersonal Psychology: Theory, Research, Assessment & Intervention. (pp. 519-532). John Wiley & Sons.

Muran, J.C., Castonguay, L.G., & Strauss, B. (2010). A Brief History of Psychotherapy Research. In L.G. Castonguay, J.C. Muran et al. (Eds.). Bring Psychotherapy Research to Life. (pp. 3-13). American Psychological Association Books.

Eubanks-Carter, C, Muran, J.C., & Safran, J.D. (2010). Alliance Ruptures & Resolution. In J.C. Muran & J.P. Barber (Eds.). The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice. (pp. 74-93). Guilford Press.

Muran, J.C., Safran, J.D., & Eubanks-Carter, C. (2010). Developing Therapist Abilities to Negotiate Alliance Ruptures. In J.C. Muran & J.P. Barber (Eds.). The Therapeutic Alliance: An Evidence-Based Guide to Practice. (pp. 320-340). Guilford Press.

Muran, J.C., Eubanks-Carter, C., & Safran, J.D. (2010). A Relational Approach to the Treatment of Personality Dysfunction. In J.J. Magnavita (Eds.). Evidence-Based Treatment of Personality Dysfunction. (pp. 167-192). American Psychological Association Books.

Safran, J.D., Muran, J.C., & Proskurov, B. (2009). Alliance, Negotiation & Rupture Resolution. In R.A. Levy & J.S. Ablon (Eds.). Handbook of Evidence-Based Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. (pp. 201-226). Humana Press.

Muran, J.C. (2007). The Power of/in Language. In J.C. Muran (Eds.). Dialogues on Difference: Studies of Diversity in the Therapeutic Relationship. (pp. 285-288). American Psychological Association Books.

Muran, J.C. (2007). A Relational Turn on Thick Description. In J.C. Muran (Eds.). Dialogues on Difference: Studies of Diversity in the Therapeutic Relationship. (pp. 257-274). American Psychological Association Books.

Muran, J.C. (2007). Positioning the Editor: An Introduction to Difference & Dialogue. In J.C. Muran (Eds.). Dialogues on Difference: Studies of Diversity in the Therapeutic Relationship. (pp. 3-12). American Psychological Association Books.

Muran, J.C. (2001). Meditations on Both/And. In J.C. Muran (Eds.). Self-Relations in the Psychotherapy Process. (pp. 347-372). American Psychological Association Books.

Muran, J.C. (2001). Contemporary Constructions & Contexts. In J.C. Muran (Eds.). Self-Relations in the Psychotherapy Process. (pp. 3-44). American Psychological Association Books.

Articles

Selected articles (35/95) since (1990), See PDFs at ResearchGate.

Muran, J.C., Eubanks, C.F., & Samstag, L.W. (2021). One more time with less jargon: An introduction to rupture repair in practice. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77, 361-368.

Muran, J.C. (2019). Confessions of a New York rupture researcher: An insider’s guide and critique. Psychotherapy Research, 29, 1-14.

Zilcha-Mano, S., Eubanks, C.F., & Muran, J.C. (2019). Sudden gains in the alliance in cognitive behavioral therapy versus brief relational therapy. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 87, 501-509.

Muran, J.C., Safran, J.D., Eubanks, C.F., & Gorman, B.S. (2018). The effect of an alliance-focused training on cognitive-behavioral therapy for personality disorders. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 86, 384-397. (Awarded Most Valuable Paper on Innovations in Psychotherapy for 2018 by Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy)

Zilcha-Mano, S., Muran, J.C., Eubanks, C.F., Safran, J.D., & Winston, A. (2018). When can therapists' estimation of treatment process predict patients' ratings of outcome? The case of the working alliance. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 86, 398-402.

Doran, J.M, Safran, J.D., & Muran, J.C. (2017). An investigation of the relationship between the Alliance Negotiation Scale and psychotherapy process and outcome. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73, 449-465.

Westerman, M.A., & Muran, J.C. (2017). Investigating an approach to the alliance based on interpersonal defense theory. Psychotherapy Research, 27, 620-641.

Zilcha-Mano, S., Muran, J.C., Eubanks, C.F., Safran, J.D., & Winston, A. (2017). Not just a non-specific factor: Moderators of the effect of within- and between-clients alliance on outcome in cbt. Cognitive Therapy & Research, 37, 1-15.

Zilcha-Mano, S., Muran, J.C., Eubanks, C.F., Safran, J.D., & Winston, A. (2016), The relationship between alliance and outcome: Analysis of a two-person perspective on alliance and session outcome. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 84, 484-496.

Miller-Bottome, M., Talia, A., Safran, J.D., & Muran, J.C. (2018). Resolving alliance ruptures from an attachment-informed perspective. Psychoanalytic Psychology, 35, 175-183.

Doran, J., Safran, J.D., & Muran, J.C. (2016), The Alliance Negotiation Scale: A Psychometric Investigation. Psychological Assessment, 28, 885-897.

Muran, J.C. & Lutz, W. (2015), A Train of Thought: 25 Years of Psychotherapy Research. Psychotherapy Research, 25, 277-281.

Tufekcioglu, S. & Muran, J.C. (2015), Case formulation and the therapeutic relationship: The role of therapist self-reflection and self-revelation. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 469-477.

Safran, J.D., Muran, J.C. et al. (2014), Investigating the impact of alliance-focused training on interpersonal process and therapists capacity for experiential reflection. Psychotherapy Research, 24, 269-285.

Tufekcioglu, S., Muran, J.C., Safran, J.D., & Winston, A. (2013), Personality disorder and early therapeutic alliance in two time-limited therapies. Psychotherapy Research.

Eubanks-Carter, C, Gorman, B.S. & Muran, J.C. (2012), Quantitative naturalistic methods for detecting change points in psychotherapy research: An illustration with alliance ruptures. Psychotherapy Research, 22, 621-637.

Safran, J.D., Muran, J.C. & Eubanks-Carter, C. (2011), Repairing alliance ruptures. Psychotherapy, 48, 80-87.

Muran, J.C. et al. (2009), Relationship of early alliance ruptures to process and outcome. Psychotherapy, 46, 233-28.

Muran, J.C. (2009), A fusion of horizons in psychotherapy research: Alternative methods to study psychotherapy process. Psychotherapy Research, 19, 617-618.

Muran, J.C. & Samstag, L.W. (2008), Can some interpersonalists be more different than alike? Implications for method in practice and research. Psychotherapy, 45, 320-323.

Safran, J.D. & Muran, J.C. (2006), Has the concept of the therapeutic alliance outlived its usefulness. Psychotherapy, 43, 286-291.

Safran, J.D. Muran, J.C. et al. (2005), Evaluating an alliance-focused treatment for potential treatment failures. Psychotherapy, 42, 512-531.

Muran, J.C. et al. (2005), Evaluating an alliance-focused treatment for personality disorders. Psychotherapy, 42, 532-545.

Muran, J.C. (2002), A relational approach to understanding change: plurality and contextualism in a psychotherapy research program. Psychotherapy Research, 12 (2), 113-138.

Muran, J.C. et al. (2001), A cognitive-interpersonal case study of the self. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57, 307-330.

Safran, J.D., Muran, J.C., Samstag, L.W., & Stevens, C. (2001), Rupture repair. Psychotherapy, 38, 406-412.

Muran, J.C. et al. (1998), The development of interpersonal scenarios as an idiographic measure of self-schemas. Psychotherapy Research, 8, 321-333.

Muran, J.C. et al. (1997), Development of a suboutcome strategy to measure interpersonal process in psychotherapy from an observer perspective. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 53, 405-429.

Safran, J.D. & Muran, J.C. (1996), The resolution of ruptures in the therapeutic alliance. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 64, 447-458.

Muran, J.C. et al. (1995), Linking in-session change to overall outcome in short-term cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 63, 651-657.

Muran, J.C. et al. (1994), Self-scenarios as a repeated measures outcome measurement of self-schemas in short-term cognitive therapy. Behavior Therapy, 25, 255-274.

Muran, J.C. et al. (1994), Patient pretreatment interpersonal problems and therapeutic alliance in short-term cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 62, 185-190.

Muran, J.C. & Segal, Z.V. (1992), The development of an idiographic measure of self-schemas: An illustration of the construction and use of self-scenarios. Psychotherapy, 29, 524-535.

Muran, J.C. (1991), A reformulation of the ABC model in cognitive psychotherapies: Implications for assessment and treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 11, 399-418.

Conference Presentations

Selections from 2014-17. See PDFs at ResearchGate.

Muran, J.C. (2017). Developing the therapist in relation: Expression and reflection. In American Psychological Association. Washington, DC.

Muran, J.C. (2015). Developing the therapist in relation: Ruptures, reflection and the expressive position. In Society for Psychotherapy Research. Philadelphia, PA.

Muran, J.C. with Safran, J.D. & Eubanks, C. (2015). Alliance focused training (parts 1 & 2). In Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. Baltimore, MD.

Muran, J.C. (2014). Ruptures in the Therapeutic Alliance: Challenges & Opportunities for Training & Change. In American Psychiatric Association. New York, New York.

Muran, J.C. (2014). Exploring changes in interpersonal process, intermediate & ultimate outcome in a within-subject experimental study of an alliance-focused training. In Society for Psychotherapy Research. Copenhagen, Denmark.

Invited Presentations

Selections from 2014-17:

Muran, J.C. (April, 2018). Developing the Therapist in Relation to Personality Disorders. North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders annual meeting, New York, NY.

Muran, J.C. (2017, June). Confessions of a New York Rupture Researcher. Presidential address at the Society for Psychotherapy Research annual meeting, Victoria College, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Muran, J.C. (2015, February). The impact of an alliance-focused training on psychotherapy process and outcome. University of Trier, Trier, Germany.

Muran, J.C. (2014, September). Research on the impact of alliance-focused training on psychotherapy process and outcome with a personality disordered sample. Society for Psychotherapy Research, Italian Group, Padua, Italy.

Other Work

Alliance Rupture Repair (2020): https://www.apa.org/pubs/videos/

Center for Alliance Focused Training (2015): http://www.therapeutic-alliance.org/.

Therapeutic Alliance Ruptures (2015). Sage Video: http://sk.sagepub.com/video/.

Resolving Impasses (2006). CustomFlix: http://www.customflix.com.

Grants

Selected grant awards:

Co-Investigator: Modular Assessment of Risk for Imminent Suicide (MARIS): a Novel Tool for Suicide Prediction (patient & clinician risk factors). American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2015-2018). Total: $1.3 million.

Principal Investigator: Resolving ruptures in the therapeutic alliance (MH071768). National Institute of Mental Health (2006-2009). Total: $745,000.

Principal Investigator: Training therapists to increase effectiveness in psychotherapy for treatment resistant patients with multiple & chronic diagnoses. Cohn, Spanier, & Levy Foundations (2005-7). Total: $450,000.

Co-Investigator: Neural regions mediating personality, disorder and attachment status in time-limited psychotherapy. Singer-Hellman Research Award (2005-2006). Total: $40,000.

Principal Investigator: Training therapists to improve effectiveness in the psychotherapy of comorbid patients. Singer-Hellman Research Award (2002-3). Total: $30,000.

Principal Investigator: Towards reducing the risk of treatment failure in psychotherapy: A study of the resolution of negative process. Singer-Hellman Research Award (1999-2000). Total: $25,000.

Co-Principal Investigator: Patient-provider relationship in primary care. Singer-Hellman Research Award (1998-1999). Total: $10,000.

Co-Investigator: Assertive outreach for substance dependent mentally ill (DA09431). National Institute of Drug Addiction (1994-1998). Total: $2.2 million.

Co-Principal Investigator: Problems in the therapeutic alliance (MH50246). National Institute of Mental Health (1993-1996). Total: $165,000.

Honors and Accomplishments

2021 Alfred M. Wellner Life Achievement Award for Research Excellence, National Register of Health Service Psychologists

2021 Senior Distinguished Career Award, Society for Psychotherapy Research

2018 Most Valuable Paper on Innovations in Psychotherapy, Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy Award (selected March 2019 from a review of over 5000 articles published during 2018 in 60 journals)

Past President, International Society for Psychotherapy Research (2017-18)
President, International Society for Psychotherapy Research (2016-17)
President-Elect, International Society for Psychotherapy Research (2015-16)
General Vice President, International Society for Psychotherapy Research (2014-15)

Fellow, American Psychological Association:
Division 12, Clinical Psychology (2007)
Division 29, Psychotherapy (2008)

Past President, North American Society for Psychotherapy Research (2007-08)
President, North American Society for Psychotherapy Research (2005-07)
President-Elect, North American Society for Psychotherapy Research (2004-05)

Joan Sadow Award for Excellence in Teaching, Mount Sinai Beth Israel (1999, 2001, & 2011)

Early Career Achievement Award, Society for Psychotherapy Research (1997)

Professional Activities

Co-Chair, APA Workgroup to Develop a Clinical Practice Guideline on Emotion Regulation (2019-2020)

Member, APA Advisory Steering Committee for Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines (2018-2021)

Principal Investigator & Director, Psychotherapy Research Program,
Mount Sinai Beth Israel (1990-Present)

Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (2016-Present)

Chief Psychologist, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Beth Israel (1994-2009)

Faculty, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (1994-2009)

Editor, Psychotherapy Research (2010-15)
Associate Editor, Psychotherapy Research (2001-04)

Editorial Boards:

Clinical Psychology: Science & Practice (2018-Present),

Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology (2008-Present),

Psychotherapy Research (1997-Present),

Psychotherapy (2004-12),

Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy (2000-03)

Program Chair:

International Society for Psychotherapy Research (2016)

American Psychological Association, Clinical Psychology Division 12 (2010)

North American Society for Psychotherapy Research (2004)

Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (2003)