The purpose of this volume is to interpret and integrate the emerging literature on the significance, development and impact of the working alliance approach in therapy and counselling. The clinical importance of this construct has been recognized since some of the early writings of Sigmund Freud. During the past decade, however, the construct of the working alliance has been broadened to incorporate the notion of the co-operative aspects of all therapeutic relationships and its importance has been widely recognized across the spectrum of therapeutic orientations.