ATTENDANCE

There were 16 clients continuing therapy from 2008, and 20 clients continuing therapy at the end of 2009. The total number of clients was 234 and the total number of sessions was 1,312 (217 adult individual; 438 child individual; 125 Cool Kids; 508 menopause group; 24 cognitive assessment). There were a higher proportion of child clients for individual therapy (70%) and Cognitive Assessments (64%). There were proportionately more females in the individual therapy group (54%) and the cognitive assessments (65%); but less in the Cool Kids groups (39%).

The length of treatment for therapy (excluding Cognitive Assessments, Cool Kids assessments and group programs) at the Clinic ranged from 1 to 22 sessions. The average length of treatment for individual therapy was 5.4 sessions.

A total of 138 telephone intakes were completed and 101 initial assessments were conducted (excluding menopause and cognitive assessment clients). The number of initial assessments was less than the number of clients for the following reasons (continuing 2008 clients; transferring from one program to another; additional family members obtaining treatment). Seventy three percent of intakes became initial assessments. Sixty eight percent of phone intakes for potential adults (individual therapy) continued contact with the Clinic as clients. Seventy five percent of phone intakes with parents and guardians of potential child clients (individual therapy and Cool Kids groups) continued contact with the Clinic.

Reasons why some individuals who contacted the clinic did not become clients were: not suitable due to complex clinical issues (e.g. custody, legal, suicidal complications). Other barriers included: cost; location; and scheduling appointment difficulties (e.g. limited client availability).

The pattern of sessions attended over the year shows a consistent pattern of gradually increasing number of sessions with the majority of sessions (78%) in June to November. Excluding the group menopause sessions (these were only introduced in 2009 and it is unlikely that they will continue to this extent in future years) the pattern is consistent with previous years.

This pattern may be influenced by interns commencing and finishing placements and by referral patterns. Our goal will be to improve the number of sessions in February to May by timing our advertising and promotion of the clinic for early in the year which should provide more referrals in the first half of the year. Since the clinic is not operating for half of January and December this pattern is likely to continue in future years.