The comment on the Ryan, Lynch, Vansteenkiste, and Deci (2011) article on motivation and autonomy in psychotherapy considers motivation and its role as prerequisite, process variable, or appropriate outcome, speculating that all are appropriate ways to conceptualize motivation in the behavior change process. Autonomy, as a useful addition, refers…

Responds to comments by Greenberg and by Patton (both this issue) addressing ambiguities in Gelso and Carter's article (this issue) on components of psychotherapy relationship. In reply, discusses issue of how general theory ought to be to have maximal impact on research and practice. Questions number of Greenberg's assertions about Gelso and…

Suggests ingredients in the therapy relationship that are common to all interventions. Examines similarities and differences in how the relationship works within the three dominant approaches to therapy to restimulate research and theory. (JAC)

Responds to previous article by Sexton and Whiston (1994) on counseling relationship. Commends Sexton and Whiston's research review, but contends that, by adding interpersonal interaction as though it were a fourth and parallel component of counseling relationship (along with real, unreal, and working alliance components), Sexton and Whiston have…