The significance of trust for effective psychotherapeutic and counseling processes is examined from the perspective of trust research. The focus is less on the differential aspects of various psychotherapeutic approaches (which have been and continue to be adopted in school-specific counseling concepts), and more on the working relationship in counseling and psychotherapy (therapeutic alliance). Different assumptions in this regard are presented and discussed. The analysis addresses the question of whether trust can be considered as an (or the) active factor in psychotherapy and counseling, or in the underlying working relationship. To this end, aspects of trust within the working relationship are examined from multiple perspectives. While the trust of clients in counselors or therapists is the primary focus due to the current state of research, the trust of counselors or therapists in their clients, as well as the self-confidence of both parties, are also addressed.