Social Connectedness and Treatment Adherence in Counseling: A Pilot Study

The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship between a client's amount of loneliness and hope and their adherence to treatment (e.g., sessions missed, sessions rescheduled, dropping out of treatment). Many times, clients who are lonely may not have an extensive support system to encourage them in the counseling process, thus resulting in premature termination or poor treatment outcomes. Clients at Thomas Road Counseling Center were surveyed at the beginning and end of treatment on their presenting problem, loneliness, social connection, and hope using self-report questionnaires. Their counselors were surveyed on the client’s improvement in symptoms and overall treatment adherence after termination. Results supported the hypothesis, but more extensive data collection must be done to statistically support these conclusions. This pre- and post- pilot study will further expand on the potential relationship between these variables and provide faith-based and secular counseling centers valuable information on barriers preventing clients from seeking or continuing treatment. Practical and structural implications for counselors and practices will be provided to encourage greater client retention and social connection. According to the proposed theoretical model, real, lasting change in a presenting problem cannot happen until a client’s vital signs of social connection and hope are addressed.