Outcomes of Client Transfers in a Training Setting

Although transferring clients from one clinician to another is a common practice in most training facilities and community clinics, there is a dearth of empirical studies that explore the impact on client retention and subsequent therapeutic gains. This study explored client retention following transfer to a new clinician in a COAMFTE accredited master level marriage and family therapy program in a Midwestern university over a period of five years. The researchers analyzed the relationship between client, clinician, and therapy process variables and client retentions following transfer. Although client and therapist variables were not significantly correlated with successful transfers, the number of sessions missed prior to transfer and the numbers of co-therapy transfer sessions were. We conclude that at least four co-therapy transfer sessions are appropriate to optimize successful transfers.