Factors in clients' selection of mental health providers

The present study was designed to identify factors people consider when sel ecting a mental health provider. Participants were 303 customers in a shopp ing mail. They responded to a questionnaire of three sections, demographic information, a test of knowledge of mental health providers qualifications and training, and 21 items rated on importance in such selection. Responses to the 21 items were subjected to ii principal components factor analysis. The factor scores were then used in a series of analyses to examine their relation with other variables. A decision-making model for choosing a menta l health provider is proposed.