In psychotherapy settings, motivation and readiness for change are clinically relevant factors that can influence engagement and treatment planning. The Patient Motivation for Psychotherapy Scale is a brief self-report measure designed to assess reasons for participating in psychotherapy and the individual’s level of commitment to the therapeutic process.
The measure includes 24 items and typically takes about 5 minutes to complete. Item content reflects a range of motivational orientations that may support or hinder sustained participation (e.g., internally driven vs. externally pressured reasons), which can inform discussion of goals, barriers, and strategies to strengthen engagement. The Patient Motivation for Psychotherapy Scale is intended to complement clinical judgment rather than serve as a standalone indicator of suitability for treatment.