The principle aim of this study was to estimate the number of sessions of psychotherapy needed for clients suffering from psychiatric illness to return to a normal state of functioning or reliably improve. This would be helpful for treatment planning and policy decisions regarding how much therapy is enough. The progress of 125 clients entering…

Objective: Outcome research has documented worsening among a minority of the patient population (5% to 10%). In this study, we conducted a meta-analytic and mega-analytic review of a psychotherapy quality assurance system intended to enhance outcomes in patients at risk of treatment failure. Method: Original data from six major studies conducted…

Psychotherapy outcome can be enhanced by early identification of potential treatment failures before they leave treatment. In adults, compelling data are emerging that provide evidence that an early warning system that identifies potential treatment failures can be developed and applied to enhance outcome. The present study reports an analysis of…

The relationship between two diverse but commonly used psychotherapy process rating scales was determined by correlating therapist statements classified via the Hill Interaction Matrix with statements rated on the dimensions of empathy, respect, genuineness, and specificity. Results suggest these measures share significant common variance. Empathy…

Examines whether feedback regarding client progress and the use of clinical support tools (CSTs) affected client outcome and number of sessions attended. Results showed that clients in the feedback plus CST group stayed in therapy longer and had superior outcomes. Nearly twice as many clients in the feedback plus CST group achieved clinically…

Research on the effectiveness of counseling clearly shows that counseling is effective in relation to no-treatment and placebo control conditions. The effects of counseling, attained in relatively brief time periods, seem to be relatively lasting. There is little evidence or specific efficacy for particular techniques or counseling theories. (69…

Reviews psychotherapeutic outcomes as they are related to such therapist interpersonal skills as empathy, regard, and genuineness. Includes recommendations for future research in this area. (BD)

From readers' ratings of satisfaction, problem resolution, and perceived emotional change during treatment, Consumer Reports magazine (CR, 1995) concluded both that psychotherapy is effective and that longer, more intensive therapy is more effective. The authors compared prospectively gathered 45-Item Outcome Questionnaire scores (OQ-45; M. J.…

This paper presents a critical review of research which has been offered in support of training programs that focus on Human Relations Development as proposed by Robert Carkhuff. It was found that research in this area is years behind that which has come to be expected in psychotherapy outcome studies. (Author)

Concern about the effects of counseling on ethnic minority clients has been repeatedly raised. Before embarking on a formal course of multicultural counseling sensitivity for counseling center staff, baseline client outcome data were sought as a method for evaluating the effects of this intervention. Archival data from a university counseling…

Reviews sources of indirect evidence supporting the value of graduate training in psychotherapy. Discusses training protocols that are known to enhance trainees' skills and summarizes a meta-analysis of therapy outcome studies involving within-study comparisons of psychotherapists of different levels of training and experience. Other research is…