What happens to the clients?

Despite the fact that each year billions of dollars are spent to provide mental health services to millions of persons, information is seldom systematically and regularly collected about whether clients feel and function better after services, and whether they were satisfied with the services. This paper discusses the results of pilot tests of an approach for regularly collecting such outcome information. Two essential features of the approach are the use of client self-reports and client follow-up. A relatively inexpensive mail collection method is used to follow-up clients. The feasibility, cost, validity, and utility of the outcome monitoring procedures are discussed.