Part one of this two-part article considers the central role of the therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient within cognitive behavioural therapy. Next month Carol Brough explains how she developed and maintained a therapeutic relationship with an older person

As evidence-based treatment for a variety of psychological problems, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) should be available to all age groups. This article considers the central role of the collaborative therapeutic relationship within CBT and within nursing. The complexity involved in the process of developing and maintaining such a relationship is acknowledged, and in part two, next month, a case study illustrates the positive and negative aspects of a collaborative therapeutic relationship, highlighting the importance of utilising clinical supervision. Some details within the case study have been changed to protect the identity of the client.