Does the professional know what the client wants?

Problems arising during interaction between professional helpers and their clients, especially between doctor and patient, are examined and one particular problem, that of the tendency to perceive another person's behaviour as caused by predispositional traits within that person rather than by situational events, is considered to be fundamental. Evidence is reviewed which suggests that professional training may exacerbate such a tendency and consideration is given to the way in which training regimes may help to overcome the bias and allow better relationships to develop during professional encounters.