Selection criteria for brief dynamic psychotherapy: reliability, factor structure and long-term predictive validity

Forty outpatients were evaluated for psychotherapy with a modified version of Sifneos' selection criteria for brief dynamic psychotherapy. Reliabilities were acceptable for most items when the ratings of 4 clinical judges were averaged. A factor analysis of the reliable items produced four of the five dimensions of suitability proposed by Sifneos and others: circumscribed focus, motivation, flexible interaction, quality of interpersonal relations. A combination of these dimensions were more significant predictors of long-term dynamic change than background and DSM-III axis I-V variables. Problem solving capacity (use of self-understanding) before treatment could not be reliably rated and was accordingly not tested as a possible fifth dimension of suitability.