Does a continuous feedback system improve psychotherapy outcome?

Abstract

Using outcome data on a continual basis to monitor treatment progress has been identified as a way to enhance psychotherapy outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of a continuous feedback assessment system, the Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS; Miller & Duncan, 2004). Findings from 2 client samples that attended individual therapy at a university counseling center (N = 74) or a graduate training clinic (N = 74) indicated that clients who used PCOMS with their therapists (feedback condition) demonstrated statistically significant treatment gains when compared to clients receiving treatment as usual (no-feedback condition). Clients using PCOMS were also more likely to experience reliable change and in fewer sessions. A survival analysis demonstrated that approximately 50% of the clients in the feedback condition demonstrated reliable change after the 7th (graduate training clinic) or 9th session (university counseling center). Further findings, limitations of the study and ideas for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programs: A Proposal for Evidence-Based Standards in the United States

“…The IPV literature indicates that the facilitator and offender relationship is a key component required for reduced recidivism, and when facilitators take a more active role through continuous assessment, they can readily identify clients who are not progressing in treatment and can intervene and assess why the client is not improving before the client terminates prematurely (Reese et al, 2009). Facilitative and supportive relationship roles, goal specificity, and goal agreement between the facilitator and client focused on strengths and solutions have been shown to facilitate change, to impact the client's experience in feeling cared about, seeing a way forward, valuing oneself, and building up trust, willingness to continue in the program and demonstrated recidivism reduction.…”

“…Of note is leaders serving as facilitator versus authority figures may more easily achieve successful recidivism reduction outcomes. Indeed, research suggests that when facilitators take a more active role through continuous assessment, they can readily identify clients who are not progressing in treatment and can intervene and assess why the client is not improving before the client terminates prematurely (Reese, Norsworthy, & Rowlands, 2009). Furthermore, Dilks, Tasker, and Wren (2013) suggest that the therapist's strategic effort to develop and maintain a relationship seemed to impact the client's experience in feeling cared about, seeing a way forward, valuing themselves, and building up trust in the therapist.…”

The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision Volume 6 Issue 2 Fall 2014

“…Utilizing continuous client feedback leads to fewer premature terminations, improved outcomes for clients at risk for termination (Brown & Jones, 2005;Whipple et al, 2003), increased opportunities to repair alliance ruptures, and improvements in the therapeutic relationship (Ackerman et al, 2001). Clients, both individuals and couples, using feedback mechanisms with their counselor demonstrate significantly greater treatment gains than those not receiving feedback (Anker et al, 2009;Miller et al, 2006;Reese et al, 2009a;Reese, et al, 2010). Reese and colleagues (2009a) reported that the feedback condition clients in one study achieved reliable change in fewer sessions than those in the no-feedback condition.…”

“…Mental health practitioners have increased their use of continuous and direct client feedback mechanisms in response to the growing body of evidence supporting their use in treatment (Anker et al, 2009;Duncan & Miller, 2008;Lambert & Shimokawa, 2011;Miller, Duncan, Brown, Sorrell, & Chalk, 2006;Reese, Norsworthy, & Rowlands, 2009a;Reese et al, 2010). Utilizing continuous client feedback leads to fewer premature terminations, improved outcomes for clients at risk for termination (Brown & Jones, 2005;Whipple et al, 2003), increased opportunities to repair alliance ruptures, and improvements in the therapeutic relationship (Ackerman et al, 2001).…”

Medication adherence and its relationship to the therapeutic alliance: Results from an innovative pilot study within a community pharmacy MTM practice

“…19 Diabetes care managers have also successfully used the ORS and SRS with patients and have demonstrated improved diabetes-associated outcomes. 20 We believed that the use of the ORS and SRS in pharmacy practice might produce similar results as those shown in psychotherapy and would enhance the effectiveness of pharmacists' clinical services.…”