Initial client expectancies in time-limited counseling.

Abstract

This experiment assessed the effects on initial expectancies of whether counseling was time-limited (12 sessions), of the interaction of time limits with the chronicity of the client's problem, and of the rationale given for time limits (time limits effective/appropriate vs. a long waiting list). Eighty female college students were asked to place themselves into the role of a client they saw interacting with a counselor on film. Pre-and postfilm written material manipulated the independent variables. It was found that subjects in the chronic (vs. acute) problem condition had the most negative expectancies for the counseling relationship and outcome when the counseling was time-limited (vs. unlimited). While the rationale for time limits did not affect the primary dependent variables, post hoc analyses of subjects' essay responses indicated that the waiting-list rationale stimulated more negative expectancies than the time-limits-effective/appropriate rationale. Contrary to predictions, time limits did not affect subjects' expectancies for client activity and responsibility and for counselor activity.Long waiting lists have been a perennial problem for mental health agencies. One method of dealing with that problem is to limit the duration of counseling. Some research does suggest that time-limited approaches can be as effective as open-ended ones (Munro & Bach, 1975; Shlien, Mosak, & Driekurs, 1962). While preliminary evidence on the effect of time limits is positive, and although the general topic has been called a "natural" for research (Meltzoff & Kornreich, 1970), little research exists on a number of crucial aspects of time-limiting counseling.The present experiment is part of a program of field and analogue research at the University of Maryland on time-limited counseling (Gelso, Note 1; Keilson, Note 2). It is an analogue study designed to examine with precision questions that either could not readily be studied in a counseling agency, or that are being studied in a less controlled manner in the field situation. Of interest was the initial impact of time limits on client expectancies. Three hypotheses were derived from both existing literature and research in progress: (a) The use of time limits will increase clientsubjects' expectancies for client activity and re-The authors wish to express appreciation to Jean A. Carter for her thoughtful comments about this revision.

Effects of waiting for clinical services on attrition, problem resolution, satisfaction, attitudes toward psychotherapy, and treatment outcome: A review of the literature.

“…All studies conducted before 1975 found some type of negative effects of waiting for services (Levy, 1963; Sinnett & Danskin, 1967). From 1975 to 1982, four studies had mixed or inconclusive results (Christensen et al 1975; McKitrick & Gelso, 1978; Schiller, 1976; Shueman et al, 1980), and one study found minimal negative effects (Archer, 1981). Since 1982, four studies have failed to find significant negative effects (Anderson et al, 1987; Archer, 1984b; Freund et al, 1989; May, 1990), one study had mixed results (Rodolfa et al, 1983), and one study had incidental reports of negative effects (Kokotovic & Tracey, 1987).…”

“…For wait-list clients who continue with counseling, Freund et al (1989) found no relationship between the length of wait and hopefulness that counseling would alleviate presenting problems or client perceptions of the counselor's trustworthiness, expertness, or attractiveness. In an analogue study, McKitrick & Gelso (1978) studied clients' reactions to time limits on therapy that were based on either a rationale that a wait list required such limits or that time-limited therapy was considered to be more effective. These authors found no difference in their initial survey of client reactions, but did note more negative comments about the wait-list rationale on a postexperiment questionnaire.…”

Waiting list dropouts in a university counseling center.

“…Christen, Birk, and Sedlacek (1975) also concluded from a telephone survey that clients who had been on a waiting list and did not show up for their first counseling session were probably dissatisfied with their experience. In an analogue study examining time-limited counseling and initial client expectancies, McKitrick and Gelso (1978) found that 8 out of 20 subjects expressed negative opinions toward a waiting list rationale.…”

Implementing a time-limited treatment model: Issues and solutions.

“…Preparation of clients for time-limited treatment is also vital (Budman & Gurman, 1983). As McKitrick and Gelso (1983) found, a clear presentation of the rationale for time-limited treatment will result in clients' positive initial reactions and outcome expectancies.…”