Predicting nonmutual therapy termination with the personality assessment inventory

Nonmutual termination represents an obstacle to successful psychotherapy. Despite a need to predict the likelihood of nonmutual termination, a variety of methodological issues have complicated research on potential predictors. The purpose of the current study was to test the validity of Personality Assessment Inventory indicators in predicting nonmutual, client-initiated termination. Results suggest that treatment amenability is significantly predictive of nonmutual termination for clients high, but not low, in treatment motivation. These findings are discussed in the context of previous literature and theory on psychotherapy process, and practical recommendations are offered for psychotherapists.