Training therapists effectively requires familiarizing them with the modal expectations that clients bring to the therapeutic encounter. Ways in which therapists can be apprised of clients' expectations of therapy are discussed. Accurate understanding of clients' attitudes permits development of appropriately focused therapy goals and is generally associated with higher client satisfaction at the end of treatment. Congruence between therapist and client objectives also reduces premature termination. Reasons for client termination have been studied primarily by use of therapists' retrospective assessment. In this study, it is hypothesized that one underlying factor for early termination may be an incongruence between client and therapist expectation of therapy. In order to assess congruence, 100 randomly selected mental health care professionals and prospective psychotherapy clients were surveyed regarding client expectations and goals of therapy prior to the onset of treatment. Areas of client therapist congruence are examined, and their implication for the conduct of effective psychotherapy are explored. Appendices include the Client Attitude Questionnaire and Client Motivations for Seeking Treatment. Contains 90 references. (Author/MKA)