Identify the features of therapeutic relationship.
A. Limited duration
B. Therapist can share the information of client with others
C. Contractual in nature
D. It is not a trusting relationship
E. Based on Empathy and unconditional positive regard
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → A, C, E only
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.
A. Limited duration Correct. The second component of the alliance is the limited duration of the therapy; it lasts until the client can deal with her or his problems and take control of her or his life.
B. Therapist can share the information of client with others Incorrect. The relationship is a trusting and confiding one; the client unburdens personal problems only because they will be kept in confidence.
C. Contractual in nature Correct. The first component is the contractual nature of the relationship: two willing individuals, the client and the therapist, enter into a partnership to help the client overcome her or his problems.
D. It is not a trusting relationship Incorrect. It is the reverse: a high level of trust enables the client to confide her or his psychological and personal problems.
E. Based on Empathy and unconditional positive regard Correct. The therapist keeps the same positive feelings towards the client whatever she or he confides (unconditional positive regard) and has empathy: the therapist understands the plight of the client and feels like the client.
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. This relationship has several unique properties. It is a trusting and confiding relationship. The high level of trust enables the client to unburden herself/himself to the therapist and confide her/his psychological and personal problems to the latter. The therapist encourages this by being accepting, empathic, genuine and warm to the client. The therapist conveys by her/his words and behaviours that s/he is not judging the client and will continue to show the same positive feelings towards the client even if the client is rude or confides all the ‘wrong’ things that s/he may have done or thought about. This is the unconditional positive regard which the therapist has for the client. The therapist has empathy for the client.…” |