Improving Access To Psychological Therapies Services Research Articles

Clinical presentation of psychotic experiences in patients with common mental disorders attending the UK primary care improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) Programme

BackgroundImproving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services address anxiety and depression in primary care, with psychotic disorders typically excluded. Our previous research found 1 in 4 patients report distressing psychotic experiences (PE) alongside common mental disorders, yet little is known about their clinical presentation and impact on recovery. MethodsWe used the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences — Positive Scale (CAPE-P15) to assess the clinical presentation and symptomatic profile of PE within IAPT settings across three National Health Service (NHS) trusts, serving a diverse population in Southern England. We identified different classes based on the reported PE frequencies using latent class analysis. ResultsA total of 2042 IAPT patients completed the CAPE-P15. The mean age was 39.8 (±15.3) years. We identified five distinct classes of symptom profiles, findings that PE were common, especially self-referential and persecutory ideas. Prevalence and intensity increased across classes, extending to bizarre experiences and perceptual abnormalities in the fifth and least common class. Perceptual abnormalities were a strong indicator of symptom severity, with patients being the least likely to achieve recovery by the end of treatment. LimitationsData were collected during a service evaluation. Replication of these findings across other IAPT services could prove beneficial. We did not collect information on negative PE. ConclusionsPatients seeking treatment for anxiety and depression in primary care commonly experience a wide range of positive PE. Self-referential and persecutory ideation were prevalent; perceptual abnormalities were infrequent. Providing information about prevalence and tailoring therapy may help reduce patient distress.

Building resilience in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) role: a qualitative grounded theory study.

Staff retention, particularly in the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) workforce, has historically been challenging for Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services. This study sought to develop an explanatory model of the resilience-building process in PWPs working within the IAPT programme. A qualitative design was conducted, using a grounded theory methodology. Participants were recruited from two IAPT services in the National Health Service (NHS), which were part of the same Mental Health Trust. Ten PWPs were interviewed via videoconferencing using semi-structured interviews. An explanatory model of resilience in PWPs encompassed three phases: the experience of work-related challenges, the connection with their values and the related appraisal of adversity in resilient ways, and the implementation of effective coping strategies. The model highlights that PWPs develop resilience through values-based sensemaking and by proactively engaging in effective coping mechanisms. This study contributes to the current understanding of the process of resilience in PWPs. More research is needed to explore the developmental processes underlying PWPs' resilience. The implications of the findings in relation to existing conceptualisations of resilience, staff wellbeing and retention are explored. Recommendations for future research are also given.

‘A factory of therapy’: accountability and the monitoring of psychological therapy in IAPT

Since the introduction of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme in NHS England, psychological therapy has gained traction as ‘evidence-based’ and ‘effective’ in both clinical and economic terms. In the process, psychotherapeutic care has been reconstituted as highly manualised, standardised, and quantifiable. Drawing on anthropological fieldwork with mental health practitioners, this paper examines some common tensions that practitioners experience in their daily work where psychotherapy is sought within the framework of evidence-based medicine (EBM). For therapists working within IAPT, extensive monitoring and practices of accountability have come to undermine psychotherapeutic efforts to care for patients as ‘people’. As a result, many practitioners now feel that they are working in a ‘factory of therapy’ whereby psychological treatment is recast in the service of outcome measures, and by which critique of the IAPT service, as well as caring relations within it, have been precluded.

Socio-demographic differences in access to psychological treatment services: evidence from a national cohort study.

Since 2008, the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme has offered adults in England evidence-based psychological treatments for common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety disorders. However, inequalities in access have not been explored at the national level. Using a unique individual patient dataset that linked 2011 Census information of English residents to national IAPT data collected between April 2017 and March 2018, we estimated the rate of access by a wide range of socio-demographic characteristics that are not routinely available. A large household survey was used to estimate the prevalence of probable CMDs by these socio-demographic characteristics. We estimated the probability of access to IAPT amongst people with CMDs by comparing the rates of access from IAPT data and the estimates of prevalence of CMDs from the household survey. Both unadjusted and adjusted (for important patient characteristics) access rates were estimated in logistic regression models. As a proportion of those with a probable CMD, access to IAPT varied markedly by socio-demographic characteristics. Older adults, males, people born outside of the UK, people with religious beliefs, people from Asian ethnic backgrounds, people reporting a disability and those without any academic or professional qualifications were underrepresented in IAPT services nationally, in adjusted models. The identification of patients who may be underrepresented in IAPT provides an opportunity for services to target outreach and engagement with these groups. Further understanding of barriers to access should help increase equity in access.

‘Not a cure, but helpful’ – exploring the suitability of evidence-based psychological interventions to the needs of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities

Abstract Individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups experience profound disparities in accessing mental healthcare, show poorer treatment outcomes, and high attrition rates when compared to their White British counterparts. Despite the national rollout of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services, research exploring service users’ recovery narrative has been scarce. The aim of this study was to explore whether evidence-based psychological interventions are suitable to the needs of BAME communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine BAME service users who received evidence-based psychological treatment(s) from IAPT services. Reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) was used to analyse the data which included a six-phase process to produce a robust pattern-based analysis. Overall, three themes were generated. The first theme highlighted the importance of recognising cultural dissonance within therapy, which considered patient therapeutic expectations, therapeutic guilt, and conflicting cultural identities. The second theme identified the need for therapists to develop cultural competency. This included the importance of building therapeutic trust and exploration of patient culture within therapy. The final theme considered the road to recovery and highlighted challenges with therapeutic engagement and evaluations of therapeutic effectiveness. Overall, BAME service users felt that therapy was not a cure, but found it helpful. Clinical implications and future recommendations are discussed. Key learning aims (1) To briefly introduce cross-cultural theoretical models that may assist mental health professionals to think critically about whether Western notions of therapy are suited to the needs of ethnic minority communities. (2) To highlight cultural challenges that may impede therapeutic success for BAME communities. (3) For IAPT services and practitioners to consider cultural competency training needs that may enhance service user therapeutic experiences and outcomes. (4) To encourage IAPT services to enhance knowledge about psychotherapy and mental health by promoting culturally sensitive psychoeducation in ethnic minority communities.

‘It’s been quite a poor show’ – exploring whether practitioners working for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services are culturally competent to deal with the needs of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities

Abstract Cultural competency is a core clinical skill. Yet, psychological therapists may be inadequately trained to deal with the needs of service users from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. This can lead to dissatisfaction with mental health services, disengagement from therapy, and poorer treatment outcomes when compared to the White British population. The aim of this study was to explore whether practitioners working for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services are culturally competent to deal with the needs of diverse communities. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a range of practitioners, from early career psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) to senior cognitive behavioural therapists (n=16). Reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) was used to analyse the data, guided by a six-phase process to produce a robust pattern-based analysis. Overall, three themes were generated: (1) encountering cultural dissonance within therapy; (2) challenges in making cultural adaptations to therapy; and (3) identifying cultural competency needs. Out of sixteen participants, only nine therapists received one-day formal training throughout their therapeutic career, whilst seven reported receiving no cultural competence training at all. Overall, it appears that there is an urgent need and desire for therapists to be offered cultural competency training so that they can better serve BAME communities. Clinical implications and future recommendations are made. Key learning aims (1) To briefly introduce cross-cultural theoretical models that may assist mental health professionals to think critically about Western notions of therapy and whether they are suited to the needs of ethnic minority communities. (2) To consider challenges IAPT practitioners encounter during therapy and identify examples of good practice. (3) To explore to what extent IAPT practitioners feel culturally competent to deal with the needs of BAME communities. (4) To encourage IAPT services and decision makers (e.g. training bodies and commissioners) to enhance cultural competence training so that practitioners can better serve ethnic minority communities.

Improving access to psychological therapies: Analysis of effects associated with remote provision during COVID-19.

COVID-19 had an immediate impact on the way Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services in the United Kingdom were delivered, requiring services to move to remote therapy. While remote therapy has been shown to be effective, little is known about the effects associated with moving to remote therapy delivered during COVID-19 within IAPT services. The objective of the study was to assess the characteristics of those undergoing remote therapy and test the effects associated with the effect of remote delivery on anxiety and depression symptoms compared with in-person therapy before lockdown. We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional benchmark comparison of remote therapy across four IAPT services in Greater Manchester. Routinely collected measures of anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) were used to compare effects across the two time periods. A mixed-effects model was conducted to assess within and between group changes in anxiety and depression, while controlling for pre-specified confounders. Remote therapy did not appear to impact on service provision, with the number of sessions offered and attended being similar to those prior to COVID-19. Both face-to-face (pre-COVID-19) and remote therapy (during COVID-19) were associated with variable improvements in anxiety and depression with no significant difference between them. However, remote therapy was associated with a more rapid decrease in symptoms in comparison with face-to-face treatment. Mean improvement in symptoms was small and increased as number of sessions/time increased and analysis of rates of improvement indicated that both face-to-face and remote therapy might need more time to reach target cut-off points on measures. Both face-to-face and remote therapies delivered under IAPT were associated with improvements in symptoms with no apparent difference apart from the finding that remote therapy was associated with more rapid change. Remote therapy delivery in IAPT does not appear to confer a disadvantage over face-to-face contact, but at a group mean level the magnitude of improvement associated with both treatments was small. Remote therapy provision may widen patient access to and engagement with psychological services.

Risk factors for initial appointment non-attendance at Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services: A retrospective analysis

Background Approximately 1.5 million referrals are made to Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services annually. However, treatment is received in less than half of cases due to ineligibility or non-attendance. The aim was to explore risk factors for non-attendance at the initial two IAPT appointments following referral. Methods An exploratory, retrospective analysis of referral and attendance data from five IAPT services in the North of England. Participants were 97,020 referrals received 2010–2014. Main outcome was attendance at the first two offered appointments (assessment and initial treatment). Results Based on data from two services, 66% of referrals resulted in assessment attendance. Across all five services 57% of patients who attended for assessment subsequently attended the first treatment appointment. The odds of attending an assessment appointment were more than 3 times higher for self-referrals than for GP referrals (OR 3.46, 95% CI 3.27–3.66, p < 0.001). Factors important to treatment appointment attendance following assessment were the service, referral source, presenting problem, and anxiety severity. Conclusion Initial appointment non-attendance is a consistent problem for IAPT services. Specific factors that may support IAPT services to improve non-attendance rates are identified. IAPT indicators of success should take account of non-attendance at initial appointments.

Exploring the impact on primary care mental health practitioners of the death of a patient by suicide: An IPA study.

There have been numerous qualitative studies into the impact of the death of a patient by suicide on clinicians, but the majority of studies have focussed on psychiatrists and psychologists, primarily in inpatient or secondary care settings. To date, little has been done to explore the impact of such deaths on other mental health practitioners working in primary care, such as those working in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. This qualitative study used purposive sampling and adopted an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology. All participants had experienced the death of a patient in their role as a practitioner in an IAPT service. Seven practitioners were recruited from services across the North of England. Semi-structured, one-hour telephone interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Analysis of the transcripts identified a number of themes, which were represented in the majority of cases. Specifically, the analyses yielded four superordinate themes: (1) feeling shocked and upset about the death of a patient; (2) attempting to understand the causes of the suicide; (3) learning from the tragic event; and (4) reflections on what helped in coping with the tragic event. The emotional responses of shock, upset, guilt and fear of blame by IAPT practitioners following the death of a patient through suicide is consistent with that found in studies of other mental health practitioners. It is hoped that the current study will help raise awareness amongst primary care mental health practitioners, services and training centres, of the impact of losing a patient to suicide and will encourage them to consider how best to prepare and support practitioners in this eventuality. Recommendations include raising awareness of the potential for patient suicide in primary care services, providing clarity on the individualised support available and on the requirements of investigations.

An observational study on IAPT waiting times before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic using descriptive time-series data

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore waiting times in improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) services before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper aims to help develop a better understanding of waiting times in IAPT so that interventions can be developed to address them. Design/methodology/approach IAPT national data reports was analysed to determine access and in-treatment waiting times before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Time-series data was used to examine referral patterns, waiting list size and waiting times between the period of November 2018 and January 2022. The data covers all regions in England where an IAPT service has been commissioned. Findings There was a dramatic drop in referrals to IAPT services when lockdown started. Waiting list size for all IAPT services in the country reduced, as did incomplete and completed waits. The reduction in waiting times was short-lived, and longer waits are returning. Practical implications This paper aims to contribute to the literature on IAPT waiting times both in relation to, and outside of, COVID-19. It is hoped that the conclusions will generate discussion about addressing long waits to treatment for psychological therapy and encourage further research. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no published research examining the performance of IAPT waiting times to second appointment. The paper also contributes to an understanding of how IAPT waiting times are measured and explores challenges with the system itself. Finally, it offers an overview on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on waiting time performance nationally.

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT): the impact of service changes due to COVID-19 on people with learning disabilities

PurposePrimary care psychological interventions for people with common mental health problems in England are primarily delivered through Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. People with learning disabilities within IAPT have poorer key clinical outcomes than people who do not identify as having a learning disability. During the global COVID-19 pandemic remote consultations have accounted for nearly 90% of all contacts in IAPT services; this paper aims to report the effects of these on outcomes for people with learning disabilities.Design/methodology/approachPublicly available national data from the COVID-affected period are compared to the most recent available comparison periods that are not during the COVID pandemic. Data are presented graphically.FindingsPeople with learning disabilities differ little from those with no disabilities on several key process and outcome variables, although their clinical recovery is very much lower than those without disabilities. People with learning disabilities appear to have been affected by the changes in service delivery in a similar way to those without learning disabilities.Originality/valueDespite the shift to predominantly remote therapy delivery, outcomes for people with learning disabilities have not been differentially affected compared to those who have no recorded disability. The potential to learn what has worked and not worked in the delivery of remote interventions for people with learning disabilities is highlighted.

Treating common mental disorder including psychotic experiences in the primary care improving access to psychological therapies programme (the TYPPEX study): protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial with nested economic and process evaluation of a training package for therapists

IntroductionAt least one in four people treated by the primary care improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) programme in England experiences distressing psychotic experiences (PE) in addition to common mental...

Mental health outcomes in patients with a long-term condition: analysis of an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service.

Having a long-term condition (LTC) significantly affects mental health. UK policy requires effective mental health provisions for patients with an LTC, generally provided by Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. National IAPT data suggest that patients with an LTC typically demonstrate poorer outcomes compared with patients without an LTC. However, exploration of confounding factors and different outcome variables is limited. To establish the association of LTC status with demographic and clinical factors, and clinical mental health outcomes. Anonymised patient-level data from a London IAPT service during January 2019 to October 2020 were used in this cohort study, to compare differences between LTC and non-LTC groups on sociodemographic and clinical variables. Binary logistic and multiple linear regression models were constructed for binary outcome variables (recovery and reliable improvement) and continuous outcomes (distress and functioning), respectively. Patients with an LTC were more likely to be female; older; from a Black, mixed or other ethnic background; and have greater social deprivation. Across the four clinical outcomes (recovery, reliable improvement, final psychological distress and final functioning), having an LTC significantly predicted poorer outcomes even after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical baseline variables. For three outcome variables, greater social deprivation and being discharged during the COVID-19 pandemic also predicted poorer clinical outcomes. LTC status has a negative effect on mental health outcomes in IAPT services, independent of associated variables such as severity of baseline mental health symptoms, ethnicity and social deprivation. Effective psychological treatment for patients with an LTC remains an unresolved priority.

Using routine outcome measures as clinical process tools: Maximising the therapeutic yield in the IAPT programme when working remotely.

ObjectivesThe objective of the study was to investigate the administration and use of routine outcome monitoring session by session in the context of improving guided‐self‐help interventions when delivered remotely at Step 2 care in the English Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services.DesignQualitative research using recordings of telephone‐treatment sessions.MethodParticipants (11 patients and 11 practitioners) were recruited from four nationally funded IAPT services and one‐third sector organisation commissioned to deliver Step 2 IAPT services, in England. Data collection took place prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Transcripts of telephone–treatment sessions were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were identified: (1) lack of consistency in the administration of outcome measures (e.g. inconsistent wording); (2) outcome measures administered as a stand‐alone inflexible task (e.g. mechanical administration); (3) outcome measures as impersonal numbers (e.g. summarising, categorising and comparing total scores); and (4) missed opportunities to use outcome measures therapeutically (e.g. lack of therapeutic use of item and total scores).ConclusionsThe administration of outcome measures needs to ensure validity and reliability. Therapeutic yield from session‐by‐session outcome measures could be enhanced by focusing on three main areas: (1) adopting a collaborative conversational approach, (2) maximising the use of total and items scores and (3) integrating outcome measures with in‐session treatment decisions. Shifting the perception of outcome measures as impersonal numbers to being process clinical tools ensures a personalised delivery of psychological interventions and has the potential to enhance engagement from practitioners and patients what may reduce drop‐out rates and improve clinical outcomes.

The acceptability of cognitive analytic guided self-help in an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service.

An Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service in England has implemented cognitive analytic therapy guided self-help (CAT-GSH) alongside cognitive behavioural guided self-help (CBT-GSH) in order to support enhanced patient choice. This study sought to explore the acceptability to psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) of delivering CAT-GSH. This study used a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews and associated thematic analysis (TA). A sample of n=12 PWPs experienced in delivering CAT-GSH were interviewed. Five over-arching themes (containing 12 subthemes) were identified and conceptually mapped: (a) the past-present focus (made up of working with clients' pasts and the different type of change work), (b) expanding the treatment offer (from the perspective of PWPs and clients), (c) the time and resources required to effectively deliver CAT-GSH (to enable safe and effective delivery for clients and personal/professional development for PWPs), (d) understanding CAT-GSH (made up of confidence, learning new therapeutic language/concepts and appreciating the difference with CBT-GSH) and (e) joint exploration (made up of therapeutic/supervisory relationships and enhanced collaboration). CAT-GSH appears an acceptable (but challenging) approach for PWPs to deliver in IAPT services. Services should prioritise training and supervision for PWPs to ensure good governance of delivery.

Views of services users and staff on a combined money advice and psychological therapy service within IAPT

Background Research has indicated that having financial difficulties may increase mental health problems and prevent recovery when receiving psychological treatment. A combined approach within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service could help clients by tackling their financial difficulties alongside supporting their mental health. Aims We aimed to explore the experiences and views of a potential combined intervention by speaking to IAPT service users who have/had experiences of money worries, as well as IAPT therapists and Citizen’s Advice (CA) money advisers. Method We conducted online semi-structured interviews with 16 IAPT service users, 14 IAPT therapists/practitioners, and 6 CA money advisors. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results Themes discussed including the impact of money worries and mental health, the benefits of a combined intervention, how and when it should be introduced to clients and delivered, and how information should be shared between the services. It was felt by most participants that such an intervention would improve mental health and provide a more holistic service with a better referral pathway. Conclusions Our findings provide a blueprint for a combined money advice and psychological therapy service within IAPT, which both service users and staff identified would be beneficial.

Development and application of criteria to evaluate written CBT self-help interventions adopted by Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services

Abstract Guided CBT self-help represents a low-intensity intervention to deliver evidence-based psychological therapy within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme. Best practice guidance highlighting characteristics associated with CBT self-help is available to help services reach decisions regarding which interventions to adopt. However, at present a single process to evaluate written CBT self-help interventions informed by guidance is lacking. This study reports on the development of a standardised criteria-driven process that can be used to determine the extent written CBT self-help interventions are consistent with guidance regarding the fundamental characteristics of low-intensity CBT and high-quality written patient information. Following development, the process was piloted on 51 IAPT services, with 23 interventions identified as representing free-to-use written CBT self-help interventions. Overall, inter-rater reliability was acceptable. Following application of the criteria framework, 14 (61%) were considered suitable to be recommended for use within the IAPT programme. This pilot supports the development and potential utility of an independent criteria-driven process to appraise the suitability of written workbook-based CBT self-help interventions for use within the IAPT programme. Key learning aims (1) To recognise the range of written low-intensity CBT self-help interventions currently used within IAPT services. (2) To identify separate criteria associated with high-quality written CBT self-help interventions. (3) To use identified criteria to develop a framework to evaluate written workbook based low-intensity CBT self-help interventions for use within the IAPT programme. (4) To evaluate inter-rater reliability of the criteria framework to evaluate the quality and appropriateness of written workbook based low-intensity CBT self-help interventions used within IAPT services.

The effectiveness of remote therapy in two London IAPT services

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic increased population levels of depression and anxiety, and infection control measures obliged services to provide psychological therapies remotely. Evidence for the routine provision of psychological therapy via telephone and video-conferencing is limited. This study compared therapy outcomes for 5360 clients in two London Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services before and after homeworking produced a compete shift to remotely delivered therapy. Despite the psychological impacts of pandemic restrictions, and the use of a novel therapy modality in video-conferencing, recovery rates and net score change improved in both services, significantly in one. There was no significant worsening of outcomes for any demographic group or presenting disorder. The findings suggest that for those able to access it, therapy provided by telephone and video is a clinically effective option for IAPT services. Key learning aims (1) To assess the clinical effectiveness of delivering IAPT therapies remotely. (2) To gain insight into the impacts of remote therapy on different client groups, including ethnicity, gender, age and presenting problem. (3) To assess the impact of remote therapy on access to IAPT services.

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services outcomes for people with learning disabilities: national data 2012–2013 to 2019–2020

AbstractPrimary care interventions for people with common mental health problems in England are primarily delivered through Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. One of the priorities for IAPT services is to reduce inequalities in access and outcomes for potentially disadvantaged populations. This paper uses national data from the years 2012–2013 to 2019–2020 to present a comparison of service process and therapy outcomes for people with learning disabilities. Annual data for people with learning disabilities, people with other recorded disabilities and people with no recorded disabilities were extracted from a publicly available, national data source. Data are presented graphically with relative risk calculated for each variable and year, and show a broadly similar pattern of waiting time access for people with learning disabilities and people with no disabilities, and a broadly similar proportion of people with learning disabilities and people with no disabilities who finish treatment. However, people with learning disabilities have poorer clinical outcomes than people with no disabilities. We discuss adaptations to IAPT processes and therapy provision that may further support people with learning disabilities’ access to IAPT services.Key learning aims(1)To describe how IAPT services record disabilities, and in particular record whether a person identifies themselves as having a learning disability.1(2)To explore the differences in processes and therapy outcomes for people with learning disabilities compared with people with no disabilities and people with other disabilities.(3)To understand adaptations to IAPT processes and therapies that may make IAPT services more accessible to people with learning disabilities.

Predicting treatment outcomes in improving access to psychological therapy (IAPT) services

PurposeGiven the considerable variation in treatment effectiveness observed across Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services, the purpose of this study is to explore client- and service-related variables that predict successful treatment outcomes and clients’ dropout. Clinician-rated clients’ motivation to change was also explored as a potential predictor for both outcome variables.Design/methodology/approachA convenience sample of 1,135 (F = 752; Mage = 39.4) was collected from three IAPT services in the North West of England. The study adopts a quasi-experimental, observational design. The analysis involves the description of patients’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and the development of three outcome prediction models, using hierarchical logistic regression.FindingsAfter adjusting for confounders, employment status and motivation to change as rated by clinicians were predictive of both recovery and reliable improvement. The higher number of IAPT re-referrals was negatively associated with recovery and positively with dropouts. Clients who indicated low motivation to change and received low intensity treatment at their last session presented a higher likelihood to dropout.Research limitations/implicationsGiven that the evaluation of clients’ motivation to change was solely reliant on clinical judgement, as no validated measure was used, further robust research is recommended to draw sensible conclusions.Originality/valueThis is the first study evaluating clinician-rated motivation to change as a significant predictor of treatment outcomes and dropouts within the IAPT setting. Further research implications are discussed.