Therapeutic relationship refers to the emotional or affective bond between a therapist and a client. Conceptually, this bond is a key component of the therapeutic alliance, or the collaborative working relationship that exists between a clinician and a client (the terms “therapist and clinician” and “patient and client” are used interchangeably). Although these terms are theoretically distinct, researchers often use them interchangeably, and there exists no consensus on the distinction between therapeutic relationship and therapeutic alliance. Both terms originated in psychoanalysis where they referred to the positive transference that existed between a patient and an analyst. More broadly, therapeutic relationship refers to the collaborative relationship fostered in a transactional manner between a clinician and a client.

All major therapeutic orientations emphasize the importance of the therapeutic ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles