The Effects of an Expectation-focused Nonguided Therapy Preparation

Various studies have shown that a more positive outcome expectation can have an influence on the actual treatment outcome of outpatient psychotherapeutic treatments. Therefore, the aim of this online study is to investigate whether \[1\] the patients' outcome expectation of outpatient psychotherapy can be optimized by a brief nonguided online intervention and whether \[2\] this intervention can influence important factors of psychotherapy, such as active cooperation, the therapeutic relationship, motivation, and regular attendance to therapy. To examine these questions, patients who are waiting for outpatient therapy will be randomized into two groups (control vs. intervention group) after baseline assessment. The intervention group will participate in a brief therapy preparation (30 minutes) that focuses on optimizing outcome expectations. Both groups will fill out questionnaires again on the following day, during the diagnostic phase at the beginning of therapy and six months later (or at the end of therapy in case therapy ends before the 6-month-follow-up). Furthermore, therapists will also fill out questionnaires during the diagnostic phase at the beginning of therapy and six months later (or at the end of therapy in case therapy ends before the 6-month-follow-up).