Client Reactions to Advice

The Client'S Reaction to the Amount of Advice Given by his Caseworker was Investigated as Part of a Study of Casework Services in a Family Agency. Through Analysis of Their Inter- Views, Caseworkers Were Classified as High, Moderate, and Low Users of Advice. A Substantial Proportion of the Low Users' Clients Said They had Received too Little Advice, Whereas Such Complaints Were Voiced by only a Small Minority of Cuents Treated by high and Moderate Users. Very Few Clients Expressed Favorable Reactions to Low Use of Advice or Thought that High Users Gave too Much Advice. The Client'S Desire for Advice, as Reflected in this and other Research, is Customarily Viewed as Counterproductive, Since the Client Usually Does not act on the Advice he Requests. an Alternative View is that Advice, Even if not Carried out, May Have Certain Therapeutic Values, Such as Stimulating the Client to Think and act Differenuy.