INFLUENCE OF LENGTH OF DELAY BETWEEN INTAKE SESSION AND INITIAL COUNSELING SESSION ON CLIENT PERCEPTIONS OF COUNSELORS AND COUNSELING OUTCOMES

This study examined whether lengthy delays before the initial counseling session had detrimental effects on clients at a university-affiliated community counseling agency. Sixty clients experienced naturally occurring delays between intake interviews and the beginning of counseling ranging from 4 to 53 days. Length of delay before counseling was not related to client ratings of counselors, client evaluations of counseling at termination, or client attrition. Average length of delay did not differ for continuing clients and those who chose not to return for counseling following intakes. Interviews with no-shows indicated that the waiting time before counseling was not a major factor in client attrition. Contextual features of the setting that may ameliorate negative effects of lengthy delays are discussed.