Reducing Premature Termination in University Counseling Centers

ABSTRACT

The research literature provides support for a dose-effect relationship in psychotherapy. Consequently, therapists at university counseling centers need to keep their clients engaged in treatment long enough for significant benefits to accrue. Even in the absence of administrative session limits, most students will not participate in therapy long enough to experience its full benefits. Most college students will complete only a handful of sessions and close to 50% will depart from therapy prematurely. In response to this challenge, this article describes eight strategies therapists can implement to reduce the incidence of premature termination from university counseling centers.

Key Words:

• Premature termination
• university counseling centers
• college counseling