Social workers , ever since the time of Mary Richmond , have
been eloquent about the importance of the casework relationship
but, oddly enough , have been somewhat inarticulate in explaining
what it is. The stress has been laid on the intuitive skills in estab
lishing and maintaining a good relationship ; it has been said that
the relationship has to be experienced in order to be understood .
Unfortunately , in some professional circles the impression was
given that the relationship is a pseudomystical experience which
only the initiated could understand .