The alliance—the working relationship between patient and therapist that is characterized by purposeful collaboration and an affective bond—has a robust association with treatment outcome across different types of therapy and different patient and therapist populations.  Problems in the alliance, referred to as alliance ruptures, can be obstacles that, if left unrepaired, predict premature dropout and poor therapy outcome.  However, these obstacles can be transformed into opportunities for strengthening the alliance and facilitating corrective experiences if therapists and patients are able to recognize ruptures and repair them.  Drawing on both clinical examples and research findings, this address will present an integrative, transtheoretical approach to recognizing and repairing alliance ruptures.