Summer Research Fellow Spotlight Anna Garlock

"The therapeutic alliance refers to the working relationship between therapists and clients. The alliance is thought to be composed of three separate but related components: goal alliance, task alliance, and therapeutic bond. This study will test the role of the therapeutic alliance in a randomized controlled trial of the Unified Protocol. Studying the alliance in the context of the Unified Protocol will be valuable because it will allow me to test effects of and on the alliance across an array of different disorders and symptoms. The knowledge gained from this study can inform what aspects of the alliance therapists practicing the Unified Protocol rely most heavily on so they can promote the best outcomes for their clients."

Q: How did you first get interested in undergraduate research at UK?

A: "I knew that I wanted to get involved with research when I took my first psychology class and realized how many interesting questions still need answers in the field!"

Q: How long have you been engaged in undergraduate research?

A: "I've been involved in undergraduate research since the Spring 2019 semester!"

Q: Describe what a typical day of remote summer research activity looks like for you. How does this differ from your pre-COVID research activity?

A: "During a typical day of remote summer research, I usually listen to 2-3 therapy session tapes and code them for a variety of different measures. In addition to this work related to my own project, I am also completing some of my usual Research Assistant duties, such as randomizing participants, working on reference sections for papers, and working with data from our other projects."

Q: What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?

A: "The most exciting aspect has definitely been getting exposure to how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is conducted through coding session tapes!"

Q: What advice would you give to other UK students thinking about doing research?

A: "I would recommend looking at faculty profiles online for your department and emailing those who are doing research that interests you! When you reach out, be sure to include what area of their work you are interested in specifically and ask if they are in need of research assistants!"

The UK Office of Undergraduate Research's Summer Research & Creativity Fellowship program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to study in a wide variety of disciplines while doing intensive and self-directed research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.