ABSTRACT
According to Carroll Wise, "the relationship is the essential therapeutic element in pastoral counseling." l Brammer and Shostrom have said:
We know of no disagreement to, or contrary evidence on, the assertion that the development of an emotionally warm, permissive, understanding relationship is a first step in the counseling process. The development of such a working relationship characterized by mutual liking, trust, and respect is one of the first tasks of the co~nse lor .~
The emotional injuries for which people seek help are often created by faulty relations with significant persons. Only a therapeutic relationship with another significant person can heal these injuries. The "responsibility for creating the ideal pastoral counseling relationship rests with the co~nselor."~
Extensive agreement exists among counselors as to what constitutes a therapeutic relationship. In a good therapeutic relationship, which comprises elements of all other human relationships, the flow
of concern is not reciprocal, but is primarily from counselor to client. In psychotherapy there are three dimensions: (1) communication, both verbal and nonverbal; (2) security, including emotional distance between therapist and patient and trust in the therapist; and (3) the status of therapist and patient, which varies between authoritarian, democratic or equalitarian, and passive or laissez-faire.
