Which client characteristics contribute to good and poor cognitive-behavioural treatment outcome for social anxiety disorder? A survey of clinicians

The aim of the study was to survey a group of clinicians who identify themselves as experienced in treating social anxiety disorder using cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) with regard to the characteristics of clients which they think, based on their experience, are predictive of poor or good CBT outcome. Fifty-four practising clinicians responded to an email inviting participation in a research study of clinicians' opinions about client characteristics that may be important in CBT outcome for social anxiety. Participants completed open-ended questions about, and made ratings of the importance of, client characteristics that they believed impact upon the outcome of CBT for social anxiety disorder. Motivation for seeking treatment, comorbidity, and intellect or reasoning ability were nominated most frequently by clinicians as having an effect on CBT outcome. Acceptance of the CBT rationale/ model, ability to take responsibility for change, motivation/reason for seeking treatment, and ability to develop an alliance were all rated by participants as being important in contributing to CBT outcome. The results provide direction for future empirical research on client characteristics as predictors of CBT outcome.