Participation in therapy. A study of attendance patterns in depressed outpatients

The attendance patterns of 36 predominantly lower class, depressed women receiving outpatient psychotherapy were studied to determine the actual amount and frequency of therapy received in an 8-month period. At the initiation of therapy, the majority of patients expressed either neutral or negative attitudes to therapy. Contrary to the usually held belief that indifferent attitudes to therapy coupled with the patients' low socioeconomic status augured poorly for the patients' continuatioin therapy, we found that the sample studies attended regularly and remained in therapy until the end of the prescribed 8-month period. Missed appointments occurred rarely and were usually preceded by cancellations. The majority of therapy sessions were with patients, but provisions were available for the involvement of spouses and other relatives where indicated. It is suggested that the time-limited nature of therapy, the delineation of stort term, realistically attainable goals, and the vigorous outreach techniques by the therapists may have contributed to the unexpectedly high therapy attendance.