The therapeutic relationship in existential therapy is characterized by:

Therapist providing a warm and empathic relationship

The correct answer is Option 3: Therapist providing a warm and empathic relationship

NCERT: "The nature of the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist differs across therapeutic approaches:

In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist is viewed as having a deeper understanding of the client's intrapsychic conflicts. It is the role of the therapist to interpret the client's thoughts and feelings, helping the client gain insight into their own experiences.

In behavior therapy, the therapist is seen as capable of identifying faulty behavior and thought patterns in the client. They are responsible for finding and implementing appropriate and adaptive behavior and thought patterns for the client's benefit.

Both psychodynamic and behavior therapies assume that the therapist possesses the knowledge and ability to provide solutions to the client's problems.

In contrast to these therapies, the existential therapies emphasise that the therapist merely provides a warm, empathic relationship in which the client feels secure to explore the nature and causes of her/ his problems by herself/himself.

Overall, while psychodynamic and behavior therapies assign a more active problem-solving role to the therapist, existential therapies emphasize the importance of the therapeutic relationship itself, allowing the client to take an active role in their own exploration and growth."