The triangle: The worker,the client,the agency

The power of the agency and its ability to enhance or detract from therapeutic work is discussed in relation to therapeutic failures. Most commonly a triangle involving the worker, the client, and the agency confound the problem. The historical base of this problem and present day influences on worker and client are reviewed. Suggestions are made for system changes to increase the power of the worker and to improve therapeutic work.This article is a revised version of a paper presented at the annual meeting of the Illinois Society of Clinical Social Work, April 25, 1981.