Investigating the impact of counselling expectations as a moderator in buffering the negative association between relationship insecurity and the quality of working alliance

This study examined whether counseling expectations moderate the link between relationship insecurity and working alliance. Data from 238 university counseling clients showed that expectations, particularly about counselor directiveness, did moderate this negative association. Managing clients’ expectations about counselor expertise can therefore help foster a strong working alliance, even for those with relationship insecurities that typically hinder therapeutic engagement.