Establishing Therapeutic Relationships

Published: March 2006
Available in English, French, Italian, Spanish
Children and youth,  Foundational,  Mental health and substance use,  Older adults

Purpose and scope

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to address the therapeutic relationship and its central importance to nursing practice. Effective nursing practice is dependent on an effective therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the client. The guideline addresses the qualities…

The purpose of this best practice guideline (BPG) is to address the therapeutic relationship and its central importance to nursing practice. Effective nursing practice is dependent on an effective therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the client. The guideline addresses the qualities and capacities of an effective therapeutic relationship, the state of knowledge, and the knowledge needed to be effective in a therapeutic relationship. 

Please see also the supplement to this guideline which provides updated recommendations.

Reference

Main guideline (including 2006 supplement): 

Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (2006). Establishing Therapeutic Relationships. (rev. suppl.) Toronto, Canada: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario

Recommendations

Do you want to learn about and implement the most- up-to-date evidence-based recommendations on this topic with your colleagues? Download and share the full best practice guideline (BPG), Establishing Therapeutic Relationships.
See below for a snapshot of the recommendations from this BPG. We strongly suggest you review the full BPG before implementing the recommendations and good practice statements. The BPG also includes further resources to support implementation and evaluation.  

Disclaimer: These guidelines are not binding for nurses, other health providers or the organizations that employ them. The use of these guidelines should be flexible and based on individual needs and local circumstances. They constitute neither a liability nor discharge from liability. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents at the time of publication, neither the authors nor the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) gives any guarantee as to the accuracy of the information contained in them or accepts any liability with respect to loss, damage, injury or expense arising from any such errors or omission in the contents of this work.

Methodology documents

Revision status

Current edition published: July 2002 with March 2006 supplement

Contact

Contact us for any questions.