Choosing psychotherapy: a study of psychotherapy clients

Abstract

This study concerns the procedure followed by psychotherapy clients, from their decision to undergo psychotherapy to the first contact with a psychotherapist. The sample examined comprises 127 persons who have had, at least on one occasion, a first interview with a psychotherapist in private practice. Data was collected retrospectively on the basis of a structured questionnaire. Variables of interest included the motivation to undergo psychotherapy, encouraging and discouraging environmental factors, alternative solutions, obtaining information about psychotherapy, the selection criteria applied when looking for an appropriate psychotherapist, as well as the progress and a general assessment of the first interview by the client. In most cases, the results demonstrate that the persons concerned suffered intensely in their initial situation, and that they have tried to cope with it by talking with friends and family. Most of those questioned obtained information on psychotherapy from their friends. Additionally, physicians, especially family doctors, proved to be a rich source of information. When choosing the psychotherapist who was ultimately contacted, recommendations made by a person of trust had been the most significant criterion. In contrast, the specific technique applied by the psychotherapist seems to be important only for roughly one fifth of those questioned. A majority gives a positive evaluation of the first interview. The probability that the first interview is followed by additional sessions is very high - 93 percent in the sample under investigation.