Session 3: Building and Maintaining a Therapeutic Alliance: The Cornerstone of
Effective Treatment
October 14, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. ET | 75 minutes

This interactive session focuses on the foundational role of the therapeutic alliance in achieving
meaningful and sustained treatment outcomes, particularly with justice-involved individuals.
Led by Dr. Michael McGee, the session will explore the key components of a strong therapeutic
alliance, trust, empathy, and collaboration, and highlight evidence linking alliance strength to
treatment retention and success. Participants will learn and practice advanced techniques such
as active listening, motivational interviewing, and managing client discord. Through real-world
examples and the introduction of validated measurement tools, attendees will leave with
practical strategies to build, assess, and maintain a therapeutic alliance across diverse and
challenging clinical settings.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Define the components of a therapeutic alliance and explain its impact on treatment
outcomes for justice-involved individuals.

2. Apply advanced clinical techniques, including motivational interviewing and reflective
listening, to strengthen rapport and engagement.

3. Use validated tools to assess and enhance the therapeutic alliance in real-time clinical
practice.

Presenter(s):
Dr. Michael McGee received his M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine and
completed his residency in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He has directed several
treatment programs, participated in research, and published in the areas of addictions,
spirituality, and clinical treatment. Dr. McGee served for many years on the faculty of McLean
Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He is board certified in general psychiatry,
addiction psychiatry, and psychosomatic medicine, with extensive experience in addictions
treatment and general adult psychiatry. Dr. McGee is the author of several books, including The
Joy of Recovery, 101 Things You Need to Know if You’re Addicted to Painkillers, and Heal the Hurt:
Practices for Healing Emotional Pain and Trauma. Dr. McGee provides consultation and training
nationally on optimizing clinician well-being and clinical efficacy, with a focus on forensic
treatment settings such as mental health and drug treatment courts. Dr. McGee has a private
practice near San Luis Obispo, California, where he provides a combination of psychotherapy
and psychopharmacology, with a focus on trauma-integrated addiction treatment.