stroke sequence suggests the Therapist’s confidence with the Client’s preferred level of pressure. Thematic Analysis The analysis yielded four themes and eight subthemes, compiled in Table 2. They suggest a taxonomy of the components of the psychotherapeutic relationship within MT, and a roughly chronological process by which the therapeutic relationship may catalyze change. What follows is an explication of the themes and subthemes extracted from the analysis. Theme 1: Separateness The essential separateness of the Client and Therapist—that is, the physical and psychological distance between them—is most pronounced at the beginning of the treatment process and remains throughout, even as other aspects of the relationship reduce the participants’ perception of this distance. 1.1: Boundaries The Therapist bears most responsibility for monitoring symbolic boundaries. Her choice of what she terms a “safe subject” for conversation at the start of each treatment is aimed at helping the Client to relax and distract her from any discomfort caused by the application of pressure, but it also protects the Therapist’s professional boundary. The Therapist seems uneasy when the discussion turns to her personal life, as in the following exchange: Client: did you get up to much? Therapist: .hhh ↑ me oh hhh ↑ y’know just plodding along hhh-heh heh heh (5.0) jus–it’s s’posed to be like twenty-seven or something today too sessions and what both the Client and Therapist said about it in the commentaries. A column was added listing any important actions that occurred, such as massage strokes, handshakes or gestures, which would not be evident from the dialogue or commentaries. Space on the right-hand margin was left for the researcher’s field notes. The researcher colour-coded the field notes according to themes, though some were linked to more than one theme, and then ordered them to reflect roughly the chronological development of the psychotherapeutic relationship in MT. This approach combines elements of what Braun and Clarke(14) label the ‘inductive’ and ‘theoretical’ methods of thematic analysis. Although the data were approached with an open mind (an inductive approach), psychotherapeutic theory invariably guided the researcher’s interpretation of themes and subthemes. This approach allowed the researcher to both observe the relationship without prejudice and to use existing theories to bring a structure to the findings. Data saturation was not discussed. Participants did not provide feedback on the transcripts or on the findings, but were given access to the completed research. The research proposal was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the researcher’s institution. RESULTS Session Summaries A brief, general summary of each session is included to give context to the thematic analysis. A detailed breakdown of the timings of each session, the massage techniques used, and topics of conversation are provided in Appendix B. Session 1 is characterized by the establishment of boundaries, roles and safety, the fulfillment of social expectations, and discovery of some common ground between the Client and the Therapist. The tone of exchanges, while warm and light, is slightly more guarded than in later sessions. The Therapist, by her own admission, was nervous about being filmed, which may explain the unorthodox aspects of the sequence, such as starting with firm pressure on the lower back, and treating only one hand. Session 2 is characterized by negotiation of boundaries, reduced formality, and the development of the Client’s somatic awareness. The session is dominated by conversation, with the only significant moments of silence arising around the midpoint, and again near the end. The Therapist’s increased comfort with being filmed seems to be reflected in the sequence of strokes which include more petrissage to bridge effleurage and frictions. Session 3 is characterized by the participants’ greater sense of security about boundaries and selfdisclosure, and more periods of prolonged silence CLARK: PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP IN MT Table 2. Themes and Subthemes of the Psychotherapeutic Relationship in Massage Therapy Theme Subtheme 1.0 Separateness 1.1 Boundaries 1.2 Performance of roles 1.3 Power 2.0 Pleasure 2.1 Safety 2.2 Comfort 2.3 Communication 3.0 Merging 3.1 Contact 3.2 Empathy 4.0 Internalization 25 International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork—Volume 12, Number 3, September 2019 bound up in the social systems—economic, legal, and cultural—designed to support vulnerable people. In this way, a positive massage experience may reinforce for both participants a sense of trust in other people and the community at large. Theme 2: Pleasure The Therapist’s facilitation of a pleasurable experience for the Client determines how well their separateness can be bridged. Indeed, the Client’s enjoyment of the massage seems vastly more important to her than symptom reduction. This is where MT seems to deviate most obviously from psychotherapy. The provision of pleasure in psychotherapy may be required only as far as it permits uninterrupted engagement with the client. In MT, it is possible that facilitating pleasure may actually be a key function of the therapist’s role. 2.1: Safety Once trust is established, the massage environment and therapeutic