Client-identified outcomes of individual psychotherapy: a qualitative meta-analysis
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11210%2F25%3A10489072" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11210/25:10489072 - isvavai.cz</a>
Alternative codes found
RIV/00216224:14230/25:00140325
Result on the web
<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=oygn-cTMcx" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=oygn-cTMcx</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00356-0" target="_blank" >10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00356-0</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Client-identified outcomes of individual psychotherapy: a qualitative meta-analysis
Original language description
Background: Psychotherapy outcomes are typically measured in terms of symptom relief. However, this method might overlook important changes from clients' perspectives when they are asked to report on them. A more client-centred approach might bring a deeper understanding of psychotherapy outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes identified by clients within qualitative psychotherapy research. Methods: The PsycArticles, PsycInfo, and MEDLINE Complete databases were searched for English language studies published until Nov 11, 2023. Additional studies were identified through references in the primary studies and previous meta-analyses or systematic reviews. Search terms were related to psychotherapy and counselling, clients' or patients' experiences, psychotherapy outcomes and changes, post-treatment perspectives, and types of qualitative methods. Qualitative studies on client-identified outcomes of individual psychotherapy were included. Findings related to clients' perceptions of psychotherapy outcomes were extracted (by ML and checked by TR and LT) and analysed (by all authors) using the descriptive-interpretative meta-analytic approach. All authors have personally experienced psychotherapy as clients. This study was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021277330). Findings: We included 177 studies in the qualitative meta-analysis, from 24 countries, including descriptions from 2908 clients. Most of the studies were of good quality; they covered a wide range of therapeutic approaches and diagnoses. The descriptions of psychotherapy outcomes were classified into 60 meta-categories and grouped into ten clusters. These clusters related to clients' relational and social functioning; their emotional functioning; self-awareness, self-understanding, and more adaptive cognitive processing; behavioural functioning; developing their own resources; clients' attitudes towards themselves; generally embracing life; symptom and problem change; and more general wellbeing. The tenth cluster was outcomes that could not be clearly attributed to psychotherapy, which was considered outside the scope of this study. Interpretation: The meta-analysis showed that clients value outcome dimensions beyond symptom reduction, such as deeper self-understanding, enhanced self-agency, and greater social engagement. By examining psychotherapy outcomes across various diagnoses and therapeutic approaches, we highlight limitations in traditional outcome measures, showing the need for more comprehensive, client-centred assessment tools and the value of incorporating qualitative methods into understanding dimensions of change. Funding: European Union.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
30300 - Health sciences
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/EH22_008%2F0004583" target="_blank" >EH22_008/0004583: Research of Excellence on Digital Technologies and Wellbeing</a><br>
Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
The Lancet: Psychiatry
ISSN
2215-0374
e-ISSN
2215-0374
Volume of the periodical
12
Issue of the periodical within the volume
1
Country of publishing house
GB - UNITED KINGDOM
Number of pages
14
Pages from-to
18-31
UT code for WoS article
001391247300001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85212082366