Discontinuation from Long-Term Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Abstract

This study compared commonly reported rates of treatment discontinuation to rates found in a postgraduate training setting that delivers longterm psychodynamic treatment. It related patient and therapist variables to discontinuation during three time periods. A 28% rate of treatment continuation for one year or more was found in this setting over a 5-year period (N = 399). Demographic characteristics of patients and therapists were unrelated to discontinuation in a subsample of discontinuers (n = 73) studied during one year. Presenting complaint of depression, therapists' reports of patients' reasons for discontinuation and dynamic issues in treatment were related to discontinuation rate in the three time periods. Implications for treatment and training are discussed.