ABSTRACT
One of the four components of the working alliance in VBTCs is the bond between myself and the volunteer. The fact that the person has volunteered shows that they are willing to participate in the process, even though they may be apprehensive about doing so in front of an audience. Some volunteers comment spontaneously when they first take a seat that they are nervous. I make it a point to ask the volunteer to turn their chair towards me in such a way that they can see me and cannot see the audience. This helps them to focus on the conversation. Several mention after the conversation has finished that they forgot that the audience was there after a while.
