ABSTRACT
The therapeutic relationship that exists between the patient and therapist in cognitive therapy is acknowledged as a significant influence on the process of therapy (Beck et al., 1979, 1993), and the influence of the patient-therapist relationship on process and outcome is one of the oldest themes in psychotherapy research (Horvath & Symonds, 1991). A warm and trusting therapeutic relationship can have a significant impact on treatment process and outcome, but a less than satisfactory therapeutic alliance may have a significant negative effect (Burns & Auerbach, 1996). Therapeutic relationship and therapeutic alliance are distinct entities; the presence of a good therapeutic relationship is essential to positive therapy outcome, but only in that it enhances the effect of the therapeutic alliance (Bordin, 1974).
