Therapeutic relationships in complementary care

This paper considers the role of the nurse in forming a therapeutic relationship with the patient in the context of complementary care. Therapeutic relationships are considered and the value of good interactive skills is demonstrated which allow assessment of need, and further show the value of helping a patient to talk through their concerns albeit the subject matter may be painful. The difference between traditional treatment, prescribed by the doctor, and complementary therapies, which are a matter of choice, has been considered. the need for the nurse to develop a knowledge base, non-judgemental attitudes and effective skills is seen to be crucial in offering the patient a relationship that is therapeutic and which allows the appropriate use of complementary therapies.