The application of the hill cognitive-experiential model of dream interpretation in Hong Kong

Abstract

To date, no study, which examined the application of Hill Cognitive-Experiential Model of Dream Interpretation in Chinese clients, had considered client expectations and therapist input. This study fills this gap by investigating whether Hong Kong Chinese clients would benefit more from high therapist input to dreamwork, taking clients’ expectations, subjective dream intensity as a trait, and Asian values into consideration. A total of 63 Hong Kong young adults were asked to complete the workbook designed by Hill to interpret their own dreams and after that, received either a high or low therapist input session online. The findings indicated that clients’ expectations toward counseling and perceived therapist input can predict dreamwork outcomes. Specifically, perceived higher therapist input or a more directive approach would result in better dreamwork outcomes among Hong Kong Chinese clients. This relationship was even more robust in those clients with relatively strong Asian values.