Therapeutic Framework

The Nature of the Therapeutic relationship

The therapeutic relationship is a professional, boundaried, and time-limited relationship that exists solely for the purpose of supporting the client’s psychological wellbeing, insight, and development. It is fundamentally different from personal, social, familial, or professional relationships outside the therapy setting. The relationship is asymmetrical by design, meaning the therapist holds professional responsibility for maintaining boundaries, ethical standards, and the therapeutic frame, while the client remains the primary focus of the work. The therapist does not seek emotional support, validation, companionship, or reciprocal disclosure from the client, and the relationship does not extend beyond the agreed therapeutic context.