This paper attempts to demonstrate that the natural process of need orientation stifles the positive communication between client and counselor. Both young people and adults have the need to sharpen their perspectives, to be more perceptive, to be more aware of self and others, and to communicate ideas and feelings more effectively. There is a difference, however, in the level of achievement which tends to fulfill the two groups and communication between adults and youth about these basic needs tends to break down. Young people's desire to improve their interaction with peers and adults often leads them to experiment with sex, alcohol, and drugs (SAD). For many adults and counselors reality about the SAD scene is a personal threat and they tend to impose their values upon young people without listening or trying to understand. Counselor training must be changed or expanded in an effort to help counselors and young people communicate more effectively on these tension producing subjects and to accept each other as worthwhile individuals. (RSM)