Client Stages of Change and Expectations About Counseling

The relation between client stages of change and client expectations about counseling was examined in a sample of 88 clients seeking services from a university-based outpatient clinic. Results of a canonical correlation indicated that the composite of the contemplation, action, and maintenance stages of change was significantly related to the expectation factors of Personal Commitment and Facilitative Conditions. The composite of the contemplation and maintenance stages of change accounted for additional variance in expectations for Facilitative Conditions, Counselor Expertise, and Nurturance. The significance and implications of these findings for counseling are briefly discussed.