Counselors' attitudes toward the brief time-limited therapy model for practice promoted by managed care and employee assistance programs

The purpose of this study was to explore counselors' attitudes toward the brief time-limited therapy model for practice promoted by managed care and employee assistance programs (EAPs). The questionnaire which was successfully mailed to 235 private practitioners (LCSWs, MFTs, PhDs), contained 51 items pertaining to perceived attitudes toward and impacts of managed care/EAPs on counselors' practices, practitioners' perceptions as to whether different types of clients benefit from brief time-limited (3--5 sessions) counseling, counselors' practice focus, and demographics. A total of 70 private mental health counselors who are managed care providers completed the questionnaires. The response rate was 30%.The results revealed that most respondents (89%) were neutral, disagreed, or strongly disagreed with the limitations that managed care has imposed on their private practice. Also, the majority (96%) of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that 3--5 sessions of therapy would be sufficient for the majority of clients and situations.