The aim of this study was to create a model for tracking individual patients’ progress across psychotherapy. This model provides a system for clinicians and researchers to identify cases at risk for treatment failure. A large national database of repeated administrations of the Life Status Questionnaire was used to develop an
empirically based statistical model. The model displayed estimated recovery curves with
corresponding prediction intervals for patients entering therapy across a range of frequently occurring intake scores. The recovery curves were replicated on an independent sample of patients. There was no evidence of statistically meaningful
differences between the slopes or intercepts of the recovery curves. Additionally, the model was able to identify 95% of cases whose final treatment outcome status was considered a treatment failure. These findings indicate confidence in the reliability and criterion validity of the model. This study provided the foundation for establishing an effective system of clinician feedback in a routine practice setting. It is hoped that the use of this system will supplement carefully developed treatment plans and make good therapists even better.
