Using Personality Variables to Predict Number of Counseling Sessions for Clients

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine what combination of 16 PF primary factors and what combination of second-order factors best predicts number of sessions in counseling. The sample included 98 clients (71 women, 27 men) from a private practice in counseling psychology. Results indicated that clients who schedule more sessions tend to be more shy (H-), conservative (Q1-), and introverted (Q1-). Conversely those who schedule fewer sessions tend to be more impulsive (H+), experimenting (Q1+), and extraverted (Q1+). Mean number of sessions was 10.4 and the median, eight sessions. Implications for treatment are considered, as well as suggestions for research.