Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx)

What component of the therapeutic relationship would the practitioner make an effort to decrease, in order to encourage a client-centered connection?

1. Fiduciary relationship

2. Disclosure

3. Confidentiality

4. Power differential

The correct answer is: Power differential

In the context of a therapeutic relationship, reducing the power differential is crucial for fostering a client-centered connection. A power differential refers to the imbalance of power that can exist between a practitioner and a client, often due to the practitioner's expertise, authority, or position. When this power imbalance is minimized, clients feel more empowered and valued, allowing them to express themselves openly and engage more fully in their treatment. Creating an environment where clients feel they have an equal voice and that their input is respected enhances trust and collaboration. This shift encourages clients to take an active role in their healing process, which is an essential aspect of client-centered care. Practitioners strive to engage with clients as partners, rather than in a hierarchical structure, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the therapeutic journey. The other components, such as fiduciary relationships, disclosure, and confidentiality, while important, do not specifically address the relational power dynamics that impact client engagement. Maintaining a fiduciary relationship is vital for ethical practice, disclosure is necessary for transparency, and confidentiality ensures trust, but these aspects don’t directly work towards leveling the power differential as effectively as efforts aimed specifically at reducing it do.