A 2-year follow-up of the effectiveness of traditional child psychotherapy.

This study examined outcomes at a 2-year follow-up assessment for child psychotherapy as it typically is delivered in outpatient settings. The treatment condition (53 children, mean age?=?10.5 years) and control condition (53 children, mean age?=?10.0 years) were compared with regard to rates of linear and curvilinear change for psychopathology, adaptive functioning, and consumer satisfaction. Although both conditions showed curvilinear as well as linear improvement in behavioral and emotional problems, relatively little support was found for the effectiveness of traditional child psychotherapy or for the presence of a psychotherapy "sleeper effect." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)