ABSTRACT
The relationship between expectations for psychotherapy and the reality encountered—the Expectation-Reality Match (or Mismatch)—is a very important consideration. If reality falls below expectations loss related emotions arise that demotivate, whereas when reality exceeds expectations gain related emotions occur that motivate. Perfectionists are prone to perceiving reality falling below expectations. Other key sources of negative client expectations for psychotherapy relevant to the expectation-reality match encompass: the nature of psychotherapy, negative thought bias, and set features of the therapist. Expectation of linear change in psychotherapy, consistent with non-linear dynamical systems theory, is an interesting and highly workable aspect of the nature of psychotherapy.
