Luciano L'Abate, recipient of the Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Research, contributed to applied research through the introduction of the laboratory method in clinical psychology assessment and intervention, leading to the development of the first automated playroom, linking play therapy with research in child development. Following the same method, he developed structured enrichment programs for couples and families that were forerunners of self-help, interactive programmed practice exercises, and workbooks for functional and dysfunctional populations to be administered in self-help, health promotion, prevention, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation contexts. Provided here are a citation, biography, and selected bibliography of L'Abate's works, along with his paper, entitled "In search of a relational theory," a version of which was presented at the American Psychological Association's annual convention. (Contains 1 table.)