This review examines literature on counseling techniques for use with gifted underachievers (GUA). The review begins with a discussion of definitions of underachievement and the various types of underachievement. The paper then evaluates types of counseling, counselor variables, length of counseling intervention, and grade level of counseling. Strategies for meeting the needs of GUA are reviewed, including bibliotherapy, study skills instruction, and mentorships. A counseling model is proposed that includes identifying the type of underachievement (temporal or chronic); the characteristics requiring intervention (psychosocial, academic, and career); the type of counseling (individual, group, or family); and the counseling approach (person-centered, rational-emotional, reality, or other). (40 references) (JDD)