The author reviews 2 old cases to examine the interaction between the application of techniques, the therapeutic relationship & the vagaries of assessing outcome. The first case discussed is that of a 16 yr old girl who was still suicidal after coming out of inpatient treatment. Treadway states that it is the therapists’ obligation to develop hypotheses, set goals & attempt strategies while recognizing that therapists can never really know their clients nor their impact upon them. (0 refs.)