Two main components of psychotherapy are :

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Contractual nature, limited duration

The special relationship between the client and the therapist is the therapeutic relationship or alliance. It is neither a passing acquaintance, nor a permanent and lasting relationship, and it has two major components.

Option (1) Contractual nature, unlimited duration — Incorrect. The contractual nature is right, but the therapy is not unlimited: the alliance is not a permanent relationship.

Option (2) No Contract with the therapist, limited duration — Incorrect. The limited duration is right, but therapy rests on a contract: two willing individuals enter into a partnership.

Option (3) Contractual nature, limited duration — Correct. The first component is the contractual nature of the relationship, in which the client and the therapist enter into a partnership aimed at helping the client overcome her or his problems. The second is the limited duration of the therapy: the alliance lasts until the client is able to deal with the problems and take control of her or his life.

Option (4) No Contract with the therapist, unlimited duration — Incorrect. Both parts are the reverse of the two components.

NCERT (2025-26): “Therapeutic Relationship … The special relationship between the client and the therapist is known as the therapeutic relationship or alliance. It is neither a passing acquaintance, nor a permanent and lasting relationship. There are two major components of a therapeutic alliance. The first component is the contractual nature of the relationship in which two willing individuals, the client and the therapist, enter into a partnership which aims at helping the client overcome her/his problems. The second component of therapeutic alliance is the limited duration of the therapy. This alliance lasts until the client becomes able to deal with her/his problems and take control of her/his life.…”