Five postulates concerning psychotherapy are stated and discussed. The first postulate states that the problems dealt with in psychotherapy are in the nature of behavior which has immediately rewarding consequences, but more remote punishing consequences. The fifth postulate is that changes in maladjustive behavior emerge from a relationship between counselor and client which is supportive in nature but which also fosters the client's independence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)