Good-enough level and dose-effect models: Variation among outcomes and therapists. (2nd January 2016) - Owen, Jesse J.
Abstract: Objective: The current study examined the good-enough level (GEL) and dose-effect model on three outcome variables: well-being, symptom distress, and life functioning, while accounting for therapist effects. The dose-effect model assumes the rate of change is consistent across clients, and the GEL model assumes that the rate of change will vary according to the total length of treatment.Method: The sample included 13, 664 clients who completed 2–100 sessions of therapy.Results: The GEL model was a better fit to the data compared to the dose-effect model for all outcomes. There were fewer changes in life functioning compared to well-being and symptom distress for clients. There were significant therapist effects for changes in symptom distress and life functioning, but not for the rates of change in well-being.Conclusion: Therapists should consider the rates of change for their own clients as well as by outcome.