Characteristics of Patients and Their Relationship to Outcome in Brief Psychotherapy

Abstract

Among the more important factors affecting outcome in all forms of psychotherapy are variables relating to the patient himself: diagnosis, severity of maladjustment, personality traits, motivational states, demographic characteristics, expectations about therapy, etc. While it is difficult to bring order into this diverse list, several conclusions can be drawn from research done since the 1940’s. These findings and their implications for psychotherapy in general precede a more specific discussion of characteristics of patients and brief psychotherapy.