Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:826-830
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
Causes for the premature interruption of psychotherapy by private practice patients
P Levinson, L McMurray, P Podell and H Weiner
Thirty patients who discontinued private psychotherapy prematurely were
evaluated. Factors stemming from the dynamic interaction between the
patient and the treatment process were the most common reasons for dropping
out, followed by chronic character traits such as impulsivity and
masochism. It is hoped that this assessment of variables in the premature
termination of therapy will serve to alert the therapist to the probability
that treatment will be aborted, suggest which mechanisms will cause
interruption, and enable the therapist to use preventive measures sooner.
