The therapeutic relationship in child therapy: perspectives of children and mothers.

Examined qualities of the therapeutic relationship as perceived by low-income children who were in treatment for serious emotional disorders and their mothers. Recent emphasis on engaging families in the treatment of their children highlights the importance of understanding processes that facilitate therapeutic partnerships. Therapeutic bonds (i.e., the closeness of the relationship to therapist) for both children and their mothers were assessed. One-hundred fifty-seven families participated. Cross-sectional analyses indicated that children's perceptions of closeness with their therapists were associated with their perceptions of closeness with their mothers, their own age, and welfare status of the family. Maternal therapy bond scores were associated with mental health services efficacy and breadth of social support.