Reviews the literature on reciprocity counseling. Evidence is presented for the usefulness of reciprocity counseling with young, well-educated, White clients with slight to moderate marital distress. Research into the effectiveness of several components of reciprocity counseling including contracting, problem solving training, and feedback is…

Presents techniques for concealing ignorance from clients and colleagues and making correct excuses for failure to them. Provides information for the therapist who is ignorant about how to change a marriage relationship and wishes to sound knowledgeable and appear to know what s/he is doing. (Author/BEF)