Starting with the conceptual framework of man as a living system, the author addresses the problem, "What is the essence of counseling?" The essentials of systematic organization and the importance of information are discussed as related to living systems. It is suggested that facilitating information flow is an important part of therapeutic…

Presents a model that provide a holistic and humanistic understanding of human systems and various theoretical approaches for helping relationships. Includes a six-stage process for counseling-programming. Limitations on the model are presented. (Author/BW)