Cited by 330Psychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchCounseling Practices and Supervision

Negative outcome in psychotherapy: A critical review.

Mohr, David C.·1995·Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice

Abstract

This article reviews literature on negative outcome in psychotherapy for adult, non-psychotic individuals. Patient, therapist, and therapy variables are examined, and tentative conclusions are drawn from the existing data. Patients who are borderline or obsessive-compulsive, have severe interpersonal difficulties, are poorly motivated, or who expect psychotherapy to be painless have been found to be at risk for deterioration. On the part of the therapist, lack of empathy, underestimation of the severity of the patient's problems, negative counter transference, poor technique, high concentrations of transference interpretations, and disagreement with the patient about the therapy process all have been associated with negative outcome. Cestalt therapies have produced higher rates of deterioration than other psychotherapy modalities. Issues in research methodology are discussed, including identification of negative responders, outcome measurement, identification of variables related to negative outcome, and the role that ethical dilemmas play in research.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1468-2850.1995.tb00022.x

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97 of 97 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Mohr, D. C.
Affiliations
University of California, San Francisco (US)
Corresponding author
Mohr, David C.
Venue
Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice
Published
1995
Volume
2
Issue
1
Pages
1-27
ISSN
  • 0969-5893 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-2850
OpenAlex
W2070633071
Cited by
330
References
93
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 17
FWCI
6.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Clinical Psychology Science and Practice (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Counseling Practices and Supervision
Keywords
treatment discontinuation, therapist empathy, countertransference, transference, patient motivation, borderline personality, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal problems, cognitive behavioral therapy, outcome measurement, research ethics

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