The Effects of Client Dropout on the Quality of Life of Clinicians new to the field of Mental Health
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Jimmy Passe
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Counseling and Supervision
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Michael Bobbitt
Abstract:
Abstract
Since the advent of community mental health agencies, the problems inherent in mental health programs have been evaluated to help mitigate client attrition. Swift & Greenberg (2012) define attrition (dropout/withdrawal) as an event where a client starts receiving mental health treatment and then withdraws from treatment prior to resolving the issues that led to their decision to enroll in treatment. Lorber & Satow (1975) considered certain factors that contribute to client attrition such as stratification, therapist frustration, and conflicts (ideological and organizational) in order to increase client retention and improve treatment outcomes. The literature also suggests that clients, therapists and community mental health agencies are also impacted significantly by client dropouts. For therapists, client(s) dropout can leave providers demoralized with feelings of failure and rejection (Swift & Greenberg, 2012). In terms of the impact on mental health clinicians, Farber (1983) researched the most stressful client behaviors according to psychotherapist and determined that the premature termination of treatment of client’s ranked third amongst 25 other stressors (e.g., client suicide) indicating that it is a major stressor for mental health providers.