Learn more about our research study that looked at the effectiveness of systematic client feedback for children in therapy.

This research study, "Systematic client feedback in therapy for children with psychological difficulties: pilot cluster randomised controlled trial", was originally published in Counselling Psychology Quarterly in 2019.

What is systematic client feedback?

Systematic client feedback is when a counsellor regularly monitors their patient's progress during their course of therapy.

If you have any questions about this research or any of our other research projects, please to contact our Research and Evaluation team at researchteam@place2be.org.uk.

Summary

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to find out if using Partners for Change Outcome Management Systems (PCOMS) changed the effect of play-based counselling for children aged 7–11.

What is the Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS)?

PCOMS is a feedback tool that counsellors can use to find out how their patient is responding to counselling. It allows counsellors to further tailor sessions to their patients and seek better outcomes.

What was done

This research, led by Professor Mick Cooper at the University of Roehampton, compared the clinical outcomes of children aged 7–11 years old receiving play-based counselling with and without the use of PCOMS. Effectiveness was measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by parents and teachers.

What is a clinical outcome?

A clinical outcome is a change in someone's health or quality of life that results from them receiving medical treatment.

What is the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)?

The SDQ is a questionnaire used to assess the mental health of children aged 3–16 years. Sometimes, a teacher or parent may complete an SDQ for the child or young person.

Findings

We found that PCOMS improves clinical outcomes, ensuring certain conditions were met. These conditions included making sure pupils attended school and counsellors were committed to using PCOMS.

Read the full research paper

You can read, download and share the full research paper, "Systematic client feedback in therapy for children with psychological difficulties: pilot cluster randomised controlled trial", below.