Book excerpt: Originally published in 1988, this was the first book to examine the development, application and evaluation of computer counselling and psychotherapy. Integrating concepts of artificial intelligence and psychotherapy, this book provided extensive research data that compared the human therapist to the computer therapist at the time. This title was intended for researchers, professionals, and students of psychotherapy and artificial intelligence. By exploring the automation of therapy and the design of empathetic software this book challenges counsellors and computer scientists to look at what may have been the most fascinating topic to arise in their fields for years to come.