Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT) Data Demonstrates the Importance of the First Session With a Client

Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) is a client-driven, outcome-based approach to enhance treatment outcomes. FIT data from 2,283 clients served by 80 counselors working at nine participating agencies were collected and analyzed to measure client response. These data included Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) scores obtained at the beginning of each session and Session Rating Scale (SRS) scores obtained at the end of each session. TotalORS and Total SRS scores at the first session for the individuals who failed to improve from first to last sessions were significantly lower than the Total ORS and Total SRS scores at the first session for the individuals who improved. This finding suggests that counselors should attend closely to the distress levels and perceived therapeutic alliance of their clients at the first sessions. Supervisors should use FIT data to make appropriate recommendations to counselors for failing cases.