In existential therapy, the therapeutic relationship is viewed as what?

In existential therapy, the therapeutic relationship is viewed as a crucial element in healing because it emphasizes authenticity, presence, and mutual engagement between the therapist and the client. This therapeutic alliance allows clients to explore their own existence, confront difficult emotions, and navigate issues of meaning, freedom, responsibility, and isolation. The relationship itself serves as a mirror through which clients can understand their own experiences and develop a deeper awareness of themselves and the choices they make. The connection fostered in this environment facilitates personal growth and transformation, making it central to the process of therapy.

While various modalities may treat the relationship differently, existential therapy places significant value on the subjective experience of both the client and therapist, seeing it as integral to the healing journey rather than a secondary concern or a mere transaction.