Commentary on Gregory Hatchett's “Reducing Premature Termination in University Counseling Centers”

ABSTRACT

The authors question the assertions made by Gregory Hatchett in his article in Volume 19, Number 2, of this Journal (2004) and the suggestions that follow. We review the appropriateness of using data from outpatient clinics with adults in contrast to data from surveys of students. We look at average numbers of sessions of students in therapy according to regional and national surveys by Kenneth John (2003) and Robert Gallagher (2002) and place these numbers in the context of developmental and institutional issues. We comment on Hatchett's assumption about his role as a therapist and evaluate the nature of the suggestions he makes to counter “premature termination” by students.

Key Words:

• Premature termination
• college and university counseling centers
• developmental issues of late adolescents or young adults