The effectiveness of time-limited psychotherapy in a university counseling center

Investigated the effects of eight-session, time-limited therapy on clients' self-concepts. Fourty-two students who sought psychotherapy or personal counseling at the university counseling center were assigned randomly to either time-limited, time-unlimited, or control groups after screening with the MMPI to eliminate the most severely disturbed clients. The Bills Index of Adjustment and Values was administered pre- and post-therapy. Results of a two-way repeated measures analysis indicated significant improvement in both time-limited and unlimited groups, but not in the controls. The two treatment groups did not differ in improvement. A 2 1/2 year follow-up of 18 of the former clients suggested that treatment gains were maintained and were equivalent for those who received time-limited and open-ended therapy.