Dose-effect relationship in children's psychotherapy services.

Concerns about session limits imposed by behavioral health care organizations (BHOs) have prompted an examination of the dose-effect relationship in psychotherapy. This study of the dose-effect relationship in child psychotherapy used multiple outcome measures and standardized data-collection points and addressed the confound between dose, effect, and initial severity. Data obtained from 567 outpatient children who participated in the Fort Bragg Evaluation Project were used. Probit and longitudinal growth curve analyses found no evidence of a general dose-effect relationship. Implications of these findings are discussed, especially the need for BHOs to justify use limits and suggestions for clinicians to justify use requests.