Early dropout from psychotherapy for depression with group- and network-model therapists

Administrative data were used to examine early dropout among 16,451 health plan members calling to request psychotherapy for depression. Compared to members referred to group-model therapists, those referred to network-model therapists were more likely to drop out before the initial visit (OR 2.33, 95% CI 2.17-2.50) but less likely to drop out after the first visit (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.43-0.48). These differences were unaffected by adjustment for neighborhood income and educational attainment, antidepressant use, or generosity of insurance coverage. Efforts to increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy may required different strategies in group- and network-model practice.