Few contemporary developments in psychology rival the impact of working alliance theory. This construct can predict psychotherapy outcomes to an extent unknown previously. Yet despite the importance of working alliance theory to effective psychotherapy, only a few articles on this topic have appeared in resources commonly read by professional counselors. Professional school and mental health counselors should become familiar with working alliance theory, a transtheoretical theory dating back to the beginnings of psychotherapy practice. A key clinical revenue of working alliance research is the production of alliance "markers." Client states requiring intervention are recognized through the delineation of client behavioral clusters from the therapist's phenomenological perspective. These recognized states are referred to as process markers. The school and mental health counselor's phenomenology of working alliance can aid in the generation of valuable alliance markers. Markers, in turn, can enhance therapist training and performance. Working alliance research represents a gold mine of knowledge for the practicing counselor. It is incumbent upon counselor educators to make sure such knowledge reaches professional counselors. In addition, it is the responsibility of each counselor to seek out and apply knowledge that can increase their effectiveness and efficiency. Contains 93 references. (KW)