Good question, leanonme... "is there a difference between partnerships and relationships?"
I've never done a scientific study on this, including one on the exact literal meaning of each of those words. But it seems to me that a partnership is a particular kind of relationship. Not all relationships are, or need to be partnerships. (like I said, I haven't done a study and I don't intend for what I say to be the end all be all on this subject... :)
To me, a partnership implies a joint project between people. As Laura said in her comment- in earlier stages of treatment she didn't feel so much of a partnership with a therapist as she'd like to at this point. She's stronger now, more confident of herself and of leading her own life. She wants and needs something different from therapy now. She wants more of a partnership with her therapist.
Another example: If I was going to see my doctor I'd want to feel as though she and I have a partnership. She's for sure the medical expert, and I certainly rely on her knowledge and experience. AND, I'm no dummy. I know myself, I know my body, I know a lot about what's helpful and what's not. I also like to feel in charge of decisions regarding my life. SO, I'd definitely want to be involved in the process of whatever she and I were up to. My doctor and I both have a part to play in this partnership.
I know people, though, who don't want a partnership with their doctors. They want to go and have their doctor tell them exactly what to do and when to do it, and they don't particularly want to know why. It's just a different style. These people still have a relationship with their doctors- but I'm not sure I'd consider it a partnership.
In my way of thinking, partnership implies that joint effort and joint input thing. Joint participation.
No being black and white about this at all: types of relationships that may not be partnerships can be terrific. I'm not bashing any of them at all.
Maybe what's most useful here is to think about, and be aware of, all the different kinds of relationships that are possible. For one thing- so we can marvel at that. For another- so we can keep track of what we're doing in our relationships and keep track of if we're in the types of relationships that work for us.
Good question, leanonme... "is there a difference between partnerships and relationships?"
I've never done a scientific study on this, including one on the exact literal meaning of each of those words. But it seems to me that a partnership is a particular kind of relationship. Not all relationships are, or need to be partnerships. (like I said, I haven't done a study and I don't intend for what I say to be the end all be all on this subject... :)To me, a partnership implies a joint project between people. As Laura said in her comment- in earlier stages of treatment she didn't feel so much of a partnership with a therapist as she'd like to at this point. She's stronger now, more confident of herself and of leading her own life. She wants and needs something different from therapy now. She wants more of a partnership with her therapist.
Another example: If I was going to see my doctor I'd want to feel as though she and I have a partnership. She's for sure the medical expert, and I certainly rely on her knowledge and experience. AND, I'm no dummy. I know myself, I know my body, I know a lot about what's helpful and what's not. I also like to feel in charge of decisions regarding my life. SO, I'd definitely want to be involved in the process of whatever she and I were up to. My doctor and I both have a part to play in this partnership.
I know people, though, who don't want a partnership with their doctors. They want to go and have their doctor tell them exactly what to do and when to do it, and they don't particularly want to know why. It's just a different style. These people still have a relationship with their doctors- but I'm not sure I'd consider it a partnership.
In my way of thinking, partnership implies that joint effort and joint input thing. Joint participation.
No being black and white about this at all: types of relationships that may not be partnerships can be terrific. I'm not bashing any of them at all.
Maybe what's most useful here is to think about, and be aware of, all the different kinds of relationships that are possible. For one thing- so we can marvel at that. For another- so we can keep track of what we're doing in our relationships and keep track of if we're in the types of relationships that work for us.