In brief psychotherapy of college students, Karl Menninger's concept of a triphasic, interrelated transaction was followed. Brief cases are given. The therapist actively resisted being cast in the transference role assigned to him and aimed to relate the patient's 'present reality, childhood experiences, and therapeutic reality, so as to result in insight which allows change to occur'. Some acting out of transference feeling or unconscious conflict was usual. This the therapist interpreted, intervening if necessary.