Lambert, M. J., & Simon, W. (2008). The therapeutic relationship: Central and essential in psychotherapy outcome. W: S. F. Hick & T. Bien (Eds.) Mindfulness and the therapeutic relationship. (str. 19-33), New York, USA: Guilford Press,

Among the most consistent findings of psychotherapy outcome research is that the therapeutic relationship is vital in contributing to client progress. Even recent technological developments in neuroscience support the importance of developing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship through activation of areas of the brain related to the attachment system (Fonagy, 2006). This chapter briefly summarizes conceptions and theoretical underpinnings of the therapy relationship, highlights empirical research that strongly supports the centrality of the therapeutic relationship as a primary factor contributing to psychotherapy outcome, makes suggestions for studying the therapeutic relationship in relation to mindfulness interventions, and encourages systematically tracking the quality of the relationship in mindfulness interventions.