Although general counselor characteristics are related to positive client outcomes, an examination of counselor behaviors which may be more specific to the counseling situation is necessary. Discussed here are two variables specific to the counseling situation: (1) counselor immediacy, the degree to which the counselor ignores or explores client references to the counselor; and (2) confrontation, the response of the counselor who sees such a great discrepancy between himself and his client that he must confront the client. Some 56 interviews were assessed for levels of sympathy, warmth, and genuineness. The interviews were rated on five major types of confrontation. High functioning therapists confront their clients significantly more often than low functioning therapists. The high functioning therapists also used experiential, strengths, and encouragement to action confrontations significantly more often than low functioning therapists. (PS)