Client stages of change and expectations about counseling.

Abstract

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.

The Relationship of Client Stages of Change to Working Alliance and Outcome in Short-Term Counseling

“…The differences observed between clients at the precontemplation stage, although statistically reliable, were modest. These results are consistent with prior research demonstrating a relationship between the precontemplation stage of change and expectations about counseling (Satterfield et al, 1995); results also indicate that there is a relationship between the precontemplation stage and premature termination (Smith et al, 1995). In addition, these findings are consistent with the theoretical perspective, outlined by McConnaughy, DiClemente, Prochaska, and Velicer (1989), that clients in the precontemplation stage seem to present a number of challenges that impede the progress of counseling.…”

Predicting Expectations About Counseling: Psychological Factors and Gender Implications

“…Our study replicates and extends the work of Satterfield et al (1995), who examined the relations among stages of change and expectations about counseling. Satterfield et al argued that given the impact of clients' expectations about counseling on the process and outcome of counseling (e.g., Heppner & Dixon, 1981) and people's decisions about whether to enter counseling (e.g., H. E. A.…”

“…The current research replicated and extended the study by Satterfield et al (1995) by addressing several of the limitations in their study. First, Satterfield et al pointed out that participants in their sample were relatively young (mean age = 22.74 years, SD = 6.66).…”

“…Specifically, we replicated and extended the work of Satterfield et al (1995). We addressed several of the limitations of their study by sampling from a broader age range, assessing prior experience with counseling, and considering possible gender differences in the relations between expectations about counseling and client stages of change.…”

Caregivers’ readiness for change: predictive validity in a child welfare sample

“…A few studies provide evidence that a single continuous measure fits the data at least as well as a stage model (Budd & Rollnick, 1996;Satterfield, Buelow, Lyddon, & Johnson, 1995;Tsoh, 1995). Using a single continuous motivation score, the Project MATCH Research Group (1997) found that initial motivation for change was predictive of better outcomes among outpatients but not those in aftercare treatment for alcoholism.…”