Therapist Attitudes and Beliefs Relevant to Client Dropout Revisited

Abstract

This study replicates a survey conducted in the 1980s that examined therapist attitudes and beliefs relevant to client dropout. A revamped questionnaire modelled on the original was completed by 92% of therapists employed in the outpatient counselling arm of an alcohol and other drug treatment service. This questionnaire sought therapist perceptions of treatment length and client dropout as well as their preferred length of treatment engagement. Responses were then contrasted with known service attendance norms. As with the previous study, the results suggest therapists typically expect and prefer treatment of a considerably longer duration than the service mean and underestimate the rate of client dropout.