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This is Part 7 of a series that examines the nature of what I refer to as clinical wisdom and provides concrete examples of some of these esoteric secrets of psychotherapy.

For decades, humanistic, existential, Jungian, and other therapists have been touting the importance of the so-called "therapeutic alliance" in predicting successful psychotherapeutic treatment, and, more recently, several scientific studies have corroborated these claims. (See, for example, Opland & Torrico, 2024.) So, the clinical wisdom indicates that this relationship between the patient or client and clinician is crucial and must be treated as such by both. This means that it must be carefully and consciously attended to, nurtured, and cultivated. But what is the true nature of this "therapeutic alliance"? Is it like being with or having a close friend? Lover? Family member? Spouse or significant other? Priest? Rabbi? Cleric? Monk? AI bot? In point of fact, the therapeutic relationship, when appropriately established and properly maintained by the clinician, is unique and unlike any other.

Intimate, Erotic, but Never Sexual

To begin with, the most obvious and best known difference between the relationship between therapist and patient or client and other relationships is the prohibition, both ethically and legally, of any intimate sexual contact during the course of therapy and for at least two years subsequent to termination. There are........

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