Factorial and predictive validity of the expectations about counseling-brief (EAC-B) with clients seeking counseling

Our goals in this study were to define the factorial structure of treatment expectations for a sample of treatment-seeking clients and to understand the predictive validity of those expectations. A sample of 353 clients who were about to begin counseling at a university counseling center or at a psychology clinic completed the Expectations About Counseling-Brief form (EAC-B) and then completed measures of the working alliance, session quality, and symptom distress throughout the treatment. Principal components analysis resulted in a 3-factor solution of EAC-B treatment expectations, which accounted for 48.0% of the total variance. Consistent with previous research, the 3 factors were labeled client involvement, counselor expertise, and facilitative conditions. Among clients with prior treatment experience, a meaningful 4-factor solution was achieved; it involved the counselor expertise factor being split into 2 subgroups labeled "counselor directive helping" and "counselor subjective expertise." The predictive validity of these 3 factors found that each of the 3 EAC-B factor-derived scales, as well the total EAC-B score, was predictive of clients' (but not therapists') ratings of the therapeutic alliance as well as ratings of session depth, smoothness, and positivity. Client involvement, facilitative conditions, and EAC-B Total score (but not counselor expertise) predicted therapy outcome.