ABSTRACT
The important role of positive expectations in psychotherapy has been well described in the literature. In order for the client to experience positive expectations, there must be a dimension of the individual that is capable of experiencing some degree of orientation to the future. Furthermore, the experiences associated with the future orientation must be sufficient to generate positive thoughts and feelings about the future, as well as provide motivation(s) for positive behaviors. Some degree of ability to orient to the future is present in all individuals, yet this varies markedly with each individual. Perhaps you, the reader, can notice whether you find it easy or difficult to answer questions like these:
What do you imagine yourself doing five years from now?
How will you feel when you discover that you are no longer bothered by a previously troublesome issue?
Can you imagine ways that you can use ideas and strategies presented in this book to help yourself and others in your future work?
