Increasing Severity of Psychopathology at Counseling Centers: A New Look

University counseling center staff and directors have argued that there has been an increase in severity of psychological concerns among university counseling center clients ( R. P. Gallagher, B. Zhang, & R. Taylor, 2004 ; G. L. Stone, K. M. Vespia, & J. E. Kanz, 2000 ). A body of literature...

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Published in:	Professional psychology, research and practice research and practice, 2007-10, Vol.38 (5), p.523-529
Main Authors:	Kettmann, Julie D. Jenks, Schoen, Eva G, Moel, Joy E, Cochran, Sam V, Greenberg, Stefanie Teri, Corkery, Julie M
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	College Students Colleges Colleges & universities Female Human Male Perceptions Psychopathology School Counseling Severity (Disorders) Student Personnel Services
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	University counseling center staff and directors have argued that there has been an increase in severity of psychological concerns among university counseling center clients ( R. P. Gallagher, B. Zhang, & R. Taylor, 2004 ; G. L. Stone, K. M. Vespia, & J. E. Kanz, 2000 ). A body of literature exists to support this perception; however, this research has been criticized for focusing solely on therapist or client perceptions of psychopathology, rather than on objective data ( B. S. Sharkin & L. P. Coulter, 2005 ). In this investigation, the authors explored changes in severity among a random sample of 827 university counseling center clients over the course of 7 years (1999-2005) by concurrently measuring client self-report on the Outcome Questionnaire-45, number of prior treatments, and urgency of concern, as well as psychologist reports of Axis I diagnosis, diagnosis severity rating, and Global Assessment of Functioning score. No meaningful trend increases in severity of psychopathology were found over time. Practice implications of these findings are presented, and possible explanations for the impression that severity is increasing are discussed.
ISSN:	0735-7028 1939-1323