Does the Patient's motive for consultation match the problem perceived by the therapist? A qualitative analysis of the reasons for consultation

Abstract

In the present paper we try to characterize the typology and characteristics of the motives/reasons for consultation as well as to examine their degree of agreement with the problem definition that the psychologist defines for the patient. The study was carried out in a University Psychology Clinic. We analyzed 451 records of patients who request assistance. Through a committee of experts, the reasons for consultation were categorized in order to analyze their level of agreement with the problem perceived by the clinician using the Cohen kappa (κ) index. Anxiety problems were the most frequent reasons for consultation (20.8%), followed by relational and adaptation problems (18.6%) and depressive problems (15%). On the other hand, a value of Cohen's Kappa (κ) statistic of 0.526 was obtained. This value increases significantly when the patient's parents are who inform about the reason for consultation. Data indicates in general a moderate agreement between the reason for consultation and the problem detected by the clinician.