VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY Informed Consent for Participants in Research Projects Involving Human Subjects Title of Project: Couple and family therapy clients’ perspectives of how productive change processes impact intended retention: A common factors informed mixed method analysis. Investigators: Carissa D’Aniello, M.A., Fred Piercy, Ph.D., Megan Dolbin-MacNab, Ph.D., Department of Human Development, Virginia Tech, Jeana Rae Alvarado, Ericka Hulbert, Sarah Elashmawy, Sean Miller. I. Purpose of this research The purpose of this research study is to obtain survey responses from current therapy clients about what was helpful or unhelpful about therapy, and what influenced them to stay in therapy, or to stop therapy before reaching their goals. Almost half the clients who begin therapy stop therapy before they meet their goals. Little is known about how helpful change processes (things that happen in therapy sessions that contribute to change) help people stay in therapy and meet their goals. The purpose for collecting survey responses is to develop a detailed understanding of the process by which clients decide stay in therapy until their goals are met, or to stop therapy. The results of this research study will be presented as a doctoral dissertation, publication and conference presentations. II. Procedures Participants will be asked complete a 15 minute online survey about what was helpful or unhelpful about therapy, and what influenced them to stay in therapy, or to stop therapy before reaching their goals. III. Risks A potential risk of participating is that you may feel unduly influenced by your agency or therapist to participate. Your participation is voluntary, you may choose not to participate without impact on your therapy treatment. Another risk is that you may feel concerned about the confidentiality of your responses. Your responses are confidential, and no information linking your identity to your responses will be collected. IV. Benefits A potential benefit of participation in the study is the positive feelings associated with sharing your therapy experience, and helping therapists increase their understanding of what helps clients stay in therapy and meet their therapy goals. No promise or guarantee of benefits has been made to encourage you to participate. Results are available after data analysis is complete upon your request. V. Extent of Anonymity and Confidentiality Survey responses are collected using a web-based format and contain no identifying information. VI. Compensation To thank you for the time and effort involved in participating, you will receive a $5 Amazon gift card. VII. Freedom to Withdraw Participation is voluntary and you may choose to stop participation at any time without penalty or impact on your therapy treatment. VIII. Subject’s Responsibilities You voluntarily agree to participate in this study. You have the following responsibilities: (a) sign consent form presented; (b) complete a 15-minute questionnaire. IX. Subject’s Permission I have read the Consent Form and the conditions of this project. I have had all my questions answered. I hereby acknowledge the above and give my voluntary consent: Should you have pertinent questions about this research or its conduct, and research subjects’ rights, and whom to contact in the event of a research-related injury to the subject, you may contact: Carissa D'Aniello, M.A. Ph.D. Candidate Virginia Tech 203-605-0390[email protected] Megan Dolbin-MacNab, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Training Director, Family Therapy Center 540-231-6807[email protected] Fred P. Piercy, Ph.D. Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Virginia Tech[email protected] David M. Moore Chair, Virginia Tech institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects 540-231-4991[email protected]
I Agree
1. What is your current relationship status?
2. How many sessions have you had with your current therapist?
3. What type of therapy are you currently receiving?
Before your current therapist, did you have a previous therapist?
If yes, why did you stop seeing that therapist?
4. Since starting therapy with your current therapist, the problem you came here for is:
5. Overall, how helpful has your current therapy been in achieving the change you want to make?
6. Considering your responses to the questions above, are you more likely to:
7. Select the category that best describes how you feel about continuing therapy:
Relationship With Your TherapistDirections: Choose the response that describes the way you feel about your therapist most of the time.
Section Three: Helpful Change Events Directions: Select the response that best describes how helpful the event was in contributing to the overall change you made so far in therapy. If the event described did not happen in the course of your therapy, please select "Does Not Apply". Response categories in gray correspond to the items in gray.