[An evaluation of ambulatory psychotherapy]

Only few research studies on psychotherapy in Denmark have been published. Our investigation summarizes the results of the psychotherapeutic treatment given 1982-1987 at the Outpatient Clinic for the treatment of Neuroses, Psychiatric Hospital in Aarhus. 45% of the 803 patients who were referred to the clinic commenced psychotherapy. 30% of the patients were students aged 20-39 years. Diagnostically, 60% of the patients had neurotic disturbances, 20% were borderline personality organised and the remainder included patients with higher level personality disturbances and psychotic patients. 85% of the patients were on the waiting list for less than six months. 42% of the men and 52% of the women had more than 25 psychotherapy sessions. 80% had individual psychotherapy. According to the opinions of the psychotherapists, 48% of the male patients and 44% of the female patients gained considerably from the treatment. Those who were helped by the treatment received treatment significantly longer than those in whom the condition did not change or deteriorated. The results of the investigation indicate the need for a prospective qualitative study of the therapeutic alliance, and this investigation is in preparation.