The therapeutic relationship: Research and theory - An introduction to the Special Issue

The place of the therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy research is presented in a historical framework, followed by a brief review of the major research themes within this topic and a review of what is covered in this special section. Some of the strengths of this body of work, as well as the potential challenges arising out of the re-emergence of the alliance as a pan-theoretical concept capturing the relational dynamics of therapy, are discussed. Recommendations for renewing the empirical - conceptual dialogue on what constitutes the therapeutic relationship in different therapeutic contexts and different phases of therapy are provided.