Good-enough level and dose-effect models: Variation among outcomes and therapists

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychotherapy Research

Background:

• Understanding how therapy impacts clients is crucial.
• Previous models like the dose-effect model assume consistent change rates.
• The good-enough level (GEL) model proposes variable change rates based on treatment duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the fit of the GEL and dose-effect models.
• To examine these models across well-being, symptom distress, and life functioning outcomes.
• To investigate the influence of therapist effects on these outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 13,664 therapy clients.
• Clients completed between 2 and 100 therapy sessions.
• Statistical modeling to compare GEL and dose-effect models, including therapist effects.

Main Results:

• The GEL model demonstrated a superior fit for all outcome variables compared to the dose-effect model.
• Life functioning showed less change than well-being and symptom distress.
• Significant therapist effects were found for symptom distress and life functioning, but not for well-being change rates.

Conclusions:

• The GEL model provides a more accurate representation of therapy change.
• Therapist-specific change rates should be considered alongside outcome-specific patterns.
• Individualized assessment of therapeutic progress is recommended.