Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the association among therapeutic relationship with mental health professionals, hope, and recovery, and to explore the mediation of therapeutic relationship with mental health professionals in the relation between hope and recovery in South Korean patients with a mental illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. Eligible participants were 99 people with a mental illness who were enrolled as members at two Community Mental Health Centers in Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected from October, 4 to 14, 2011. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: Hope was positively correlated with recovery, and therapeutic relationship with mental health professionals was also positively associated with recovery. The mediating effect of therapeutic relationship with mental health professionals was found in the relation between hope and recovery. Conclusion: The results suggest that therapeutic relationship with mental health professionals plays an important role in promoting recovery of the patients with a mental illness. Therefore, mental health professionals should focus on developing a therapeutic relationship with their clients and also consider these recovery-related factors for persons who have a mental illness.