Physiological regulation processes differentiate the experience of ruptures between patient and therapist.

The empirical and clinical literature emphasizes the importance of alliance ruptures, signaling therapeutic processes occurring within and between the partners of the therapeutic dyad. However, knowledge about the underlying regulatory processes that occur amid ruptures is scarce. Identifying the underlying physiological markers may shed light on these regulatory processes.

Biological marker of withdrawal ruptures: Dyadic pattern of incongruence in oxytocin release.

Despite widespread clinical, theoretical, and empirical support for the importance of alliance ruptures, little is known about the underlying biological level at times of rupture. The overarching goal of the present study was to investigate dyadic patterns of in-session oxytocin (OT) change between patients and therapists (e.g.