The evolution of therapeutic change studied through generic change indicators

Ongoing change and therapeutic outcome were studied in five psychotherapeutic processes: three brief psychodynamic therapies, one social constructionist family therapy, and one group therapy of a comprehensive nature for drug abuse patients. Using qualitative methodology, in-session and extrasession change moments were identified and classified in a hierarchy of generic change indicators. Additionally, all patients were administered Lambert's Outcome Questionnaire. Results show that (a) extrasession change moments are more frequent toward the end of therapy, (b) therapy types differ in the frequency of some change indicators but not others, and (c) change indicators observed at the beginning of therapy are of lower level than those occurring at the end.