Ideal antecedent criteria variables in psychotherapy: A proposed solution to the irregular effects phenomenon

The concept of antecedent criteria variables is introduced as a means of understanding the conditions necessary for the development of psychotherapy. Previous psychotherapy research is criticized for its failure to define the criteria variables essential for the evolution of the necessary and sufficient factors that would determine if psychotherapy is occurring. In order to test the hypothesis that antecedent criteria variables are important, a questionnaire was mailed to 1600 practicing psychotherapists. From the 545 questionnaires returned, the data indicates that psychotherapists consider the concept important, although the application of the criteria is somewhat irregular. Findings are discussed in terms of the implications for future clinical research.