Predicting termination and continuation status in psychotherapy using the transtheoretical model

Measures from the transtheoretical model of change were compared to traditi onal client characteristic variables as predictors of termination and conti nuation status of clients entering psychotherapy. Client characteristics we re not significant predictors but the transtheoretical variables of stages, processes of change, and decisional balance for therapy were excellent pre dictors. A discriminative function using the transtheoretical variables cor rectly classified 92% of the clients into two groups: (a) premature termina tors and (b) appropriate terminators and therapy continuers. Discussion foc used on the importance of matching therapy to client's stage of change in o rder to reduce the average rate of 40% of clients terminating therapy prema turely.