A Delay Discounting Model of Psychotherapy Termination

Delay discounting (DD) procedures are emerging as an important new method for psychotherapy researchers. In this paper a framework for conceptualizing existing, seemingly discrepant, research findings on termination is introduced and new directions for research are described. To illustrate the value of a DD framework, the common psychotherapy problem of premature termination is addressed. First, a DD framework for how premature termination may be defined is presented. Second, common variables that have long been linked to premature termination (expectancies, and preferences) are explored using DD procedures. These investigations demonstrate that DD procedures are a methodological advancement that can advance psychotherapy research and, potentially, improve client outcomes.