ABSTRACT
At some point in the treatment process, it becomes apparent that caring and support are not enough; that learning and experiencing are not restricted to the treatment hour; and that the passage to feeling better is through struggle and pain, a process that is shared by both the patient and therapist. As this awareness unfolds, the skill by which the therapist can select and apply appropriate methods from her or his technical armamentarium assumes increasing importance. It is this technological expertise which the trained therapist brings to the treatment that allows the relationship to provide more than the comforting support of a good friendship. Yet, this technical skill must be applied selectively and thoughtfully, always within the context of a supportive relationship and caring alliance.
