From Waitlist to No-Show: What Causes Dropout Before Trauma Therapy Even Begins

What is it about?

This study sought to explain why so many children and adults who seek out trauma-focused treatment do not attend their first trauma therapy appointment. Researchers examined clinic data from nearly 250 clients who called a trauma clinic and requested mental health services. Findings suggest that only half of the clients on the waitlist attended their intake appointment. Certain factors asked at the initial phone screen (demographic characteristics, type of trauma, and referral source) predicted intake attendance. They also found that time spent on the waitlist predicted whether children attended their intake appointment. Specifically, children who spent more time waiting were more likely to no-show.

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Photo by Craig Lovelidge on Unsplash

Photo by Craig Lovelidge on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Exposure to trauma is an incredibly common stressor that can lead to severe adjustment problems. Although receiving trauma treatment can reduce distress, over half of those who schedule an intake session do not attend. This is a critical problem as trauma-related difficulties rarely go away on their own. The present study suggests that certain factors, which can be assessed during the initial contact with a client, may help identify who is in most need of support. These findings suggest potential targets for developing strategies to help clients engage in treatment.