As a cognitive-behavior therapist, I am particularly interested in control-mastery therapy, because it shares important similarities with cognitive-behavior therapy at the same time that there are important differences. /the key similarity, of course, is that both theories view underlying dysfunctional beliefs as causing psychopathology. The therapies, however, differ quite a bit. What similarities and differences can be seen in the opening interview described by Dr. Bloomberg-Fretter? A key difference is that the initial control-mastery interview focused on the patient's family of origin, whereas the CB therapist would most likely have focused on current matters. Certainly a CB therapist can spend time on the family of origin, but would probably spend much less time there, and would focus initially on the current problems. In the initial interview, the CB therapist would probably focus in detail on a description of the patient's depressive symptoms and on clearly outlining the patient's goals for treatment, with the view that the best way to accomplish therapeutic goals is to clearly spell them out. And of course the CB type of goals for treatment would focus on symptom remission and improved functioning. Obviously Dr. Bloomberg-Fretter did a great job with this patient, as she did very well in treatment. I'd be interested to hear from both CB and control-mastery and other therapists, what priority they would give to the two types of goals: symptom remission and change in the pathological underlying beliefs. The CB therapist would view the symptom remission as a top priority goal and the belief change goal as important but secondary. I'd be interested in others' views on this topic.