An Examination of Mandated Versus Voluntary Referral as a Determinant of Clinical Outcome

Abstract

A literature review was undertaken to examine evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy with mandated clients. The primary question addressed was whether or not clients mandated to therapy, whether by court order or by order of their employers, show poorer outcomes than clients who enter therapy voluntarily. To this end, research on client resistance and motivational readiness to change was reviewed. This was followed by an examination of research on the effectiveness of mandated treatment. The question of the potential influence of relationship factors such as the therapeutic alliance was also addressed. The literature review was followed by suggestions for future research on the effectiveness of treatment for clients with mandated or voluntary referral status.

Predictors of Treatment Engagement in Ethnically Diverse, Urban Children Receiving Treatment for Trauma Exposure

“…Parents of children who are mandated to come to therapy may be less likely to believe that their child or family has a problem and may therefore be less motivated to engage in treatment (Snyder & Anderson, 2009). This may be particularly problematic in under-represented groups, as individuals from these groups are more likely to be mandatorily referred to therapy and distrust the mental health service system (Snyder & Anderson, 2009;Southam-Gerow, Chorpita, Miller & Gleacher, 2008). There is also evidence that children who are referred to treatment by child welfare, schools, or other public institutions are more likely to experience psychosocial stress, have lower incomes, come from single-parent households, have academic difficulties, and present with externalizing problems (SouthamGerow et.…”

A predictive model of adolescent persistence in counseling

“…Adolescents demonstrate little awareness of how their current experiences may impact their long-term well-being (Siegel, Cousins, Robovits, Parsons, Lavery, & Crowley, 1994). Across the lifespan, clients who are mandated to counseling have shown comparable outcomes to clients who voluntarily engage in counseling (Bastien & Adelman, 1984;Snyder & Anderson, 2009). Therefore, despite how clients arrive to counseling, positive treatment outcomes remain achievable.…”

Counselling Aboriginal peoples: A thematic study of counselling experiences.

“…Within this study, there were two participants who were mandated to attend counselling, either through probation or the Ministry o f Children and Families. Similar to the contradictory reports by participants o f whether mandated counselling is beneficial or not, studies also demonstrate contradictory results (Kiracofe & Buller, 2009;Snyder & Anderson, 2009;Vairo, 2010). For example, Travis stated he attended counselling through the Ministry and found it to be beneficial as he dealt with his anger and finished school.…”

“…On the other hand, Al was mandated to attend counselling through probation and he admitted he did not put the effort into the process. Studies also reflect this finding (Kiracofe & Buller, 2009;Snyder & Anderson, 2009). Researchers demonstrate that mandated counselling can increase compliance with court ordered programming, reduce reoffending, and assist at-risk students (Kiracofe & Buller, 2009;McMurran, 2007;Snyder & Anderson, 2009).…”

“…Studies also reflect this finding (Kiracofe & Buller, 2009;Snyder & Anderson, 2009). Researchers demonstrate that mandated counselling can increase compliance with court ordered programming, reduce reoffending, and assist at-risk students (Kiracofe & Buller, 2009;McMurran, 2007;Snyder & Anderson, 2009). On the other hand, studies have demonstrated that mandated treatment is not effective because in order for a person to be successful, he or she needs to enter treatment voluntarily, which mandated programming does not allow (Kiracofe & Buller, 2009;Tutty, Babins-Wagner & Rothery, 2009).…”