Believing is seeing: an evolving research program on patients' psychotherapy expectations

Psychother Res. 2012;22(2):127-38. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2012.663512.

Abstract

In this article I discuss one facet of my evolving research program focused on patients' psychotherapy-related expectations. Although generally considered a common psychotherapeutic factor, expectations have been historically undervalued conceptually, empirically, and clinically. Attempting to somewhat redress this slight, I will (a) define the various forms of patients' psychotherapy-related expectations, (b) present relevant findings from research that my colleagues, students, and I have conducted, (c) summarize an integrative psychotherapy approach that underscores expectations as an explanatory construct for patients' corrective experiences, and (d) highlight future research directions for increasing our understanding of the nature and functions of the expectancy construct.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticipation, Psychological
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Biomedical Research / methods
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Psychotherapy*
  • Treatment Outcome