Discusses the power of counselors to influence clients. Explores and clarifies the influence process in counseling by drawing from professional literature, particularly that of social psychology, and examines the relationship between direct and indirect use of counselor influence and the counselor's theoretical approach. (Author/JAC)

Considers a person-environment approach as central to a metatheory of counseling and psychotherapy. Suggests counselors remain aware of the social and political frames of their work and the verbal and nonverbal communication between counselor and client. (JAC)