Patient Motivation for Psychotherapy Scale Test

Understand how ready a client is for change and how motivated they feel in about 5 minutes. Use the results to tailor therapy, strengthen engagement, and prevent stalls in progress.
Start Online Test
Questions245 minutes
Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.
08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
Material has been updated
22550 views
1736 completions
1542 likes
Share
Scale Explorer
How the Scales are Structured
example score
21/28
Amotivation (A)
Measures the degree to which a person lacks motivation for psychotherapy and perceives little meaning or benefit in participating.
Low amotivation
Moderate amotivation
High amotivation
412Low amotivation1320Moderate amotivation2128High amotivation
A score of 21 falls in the high amotivation range, suggesting low perceived value of therapy and a higher likelihood of reduced engagement.
example score
21/28
External Regulation (ER)
Measures the extent to which a person’s motivation for psychotherapy is driven by external rewards, approval, or avoidance of negative consequences.
Low external regulation
Moderate external regulation
High external regulation
412Low external regulation1320Moderate external regulation2128High external regulation
A score of 21 indicates high external regulation, suggesting engagement is largely influenced by external pressure or incentives rather than internal commitment.
example score
17/28
Integrated Regulation (IR)
Measures how strongly the person’s reasons for attending psychotherapy are integrated into their self-concept and personal values, supporting sustained engagement.
Low integration
Moderate integration
High integration
412Low integration1320Moderate integration2128High integration
A score of 17 indicates moderate integration, suggesting the person generally experiences therapy goals as personally meaningful, though some motives may still be situational or not fully internalized.
example score
18/28
Identified Regulation (IR)
Assesses how strongly the person consciously values psychotherapy and sees its goals as personally meaningful and aligned with their own values.
Low
Moderate
High
412Low1320Moderate2128High
A score of 18 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting the person generally recognizes therapy as valuable and meaningful, though this commitment may vary across goals or situations.
example score
11/28
Introjected Regulation (IR)
Measures the extent to which psychotherapy motivation is driven by internal pressure, guilt, or the need to meet internal standards rather than personal choice.
Low introjective pressure
Moderate introjective pressure
High introjective pressure
412Low introjective pressure1320Moderate introjective pressure2128High introjective pressure
A score of 11 falls in the Low introjective pressure range, suggesting relatively little guilt- or “should”-driven pressure behind engaging in psychotherapy.
example score
17/28
Intrinsic Motivation (IM)
Measures the degree to which a person is motivated to engage in psychotherapy due to personal interest and inherent satisfaction with the process.
Low
Moderate
High
412Low1320Moderate2128High
A score of 17 indicates a moderate level of intrinsic motivation, suggesting some internal interest in therapy that may benefit from being connected to personally meaningful goals.
Start Online Test
just completed the test
DATA-BASED USER COHORTS
Who Usually Takes This Test?
Current therapy clients
44%OF USERS
People already in psychotherapy who want to understand how ready they are to change and what might be holding their progress back.
Therapists and counselors
35%OF USERS
Clinicians who use a quick check-in to gauge a client’s motivation and adjust techniques, pacing, and support accordingly.
Considering starting therapy
21%OF USERS
People thinking about psychotherapy who want clarity on whether their desire to work on themselves is internal or mostly driven by outside pressure.
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
What You’ll See After You Finish the Test
Scale Results
— Explained Clearly
Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.
AI-Powered
Interpretation
A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.
Statistical
Comparison
See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.
Practical
Recommendations
Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.
AI-Detected
Insights
Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.
Discuss with
an AI Psychologist
Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.
Start Online Test
Used in 52+ countries
Benchmarking
See How You Compare
Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.
Amotivation (A)
Average
12.7
Normal range
9.815.7
min.
4
max.
28
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
External Regulation (ER)
Average
13.1
Normal range
10.116.1
min.
4
max.
28
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Integrated Regulation (IR)
Average
19.1
Normal range
15.822.3
min.
4
max.
28
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Identified Regulation (IR)
Average
14.2
Normal range
10.218.3
min.
4
max.
28
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Introjective Regulation (IR)
Average
19.7
Normal range
15.723.7
min.
4
max.
28
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Intrinsic Motivation (IM)
Average
11.8
Normal range
7.616
min.
4
max.
28
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Featured On
Rated 4.8/5 by Our Customers
Freudly really helped me discover parts of my personality I hadn’t noticed before. It strengthened the areas where I needed to grow and made me feel more grounded and confident in the parts that already worked well.
Emma C., US
I wanted to understand how serious my ADHD is, and now I finally do. I also realized I need to work on my self-esteem. It has been low for a long time, and that makes daily life harder than it should be.
Mateo R., CA
Reading each question felt like someone really understood me. Even though I’ve already dealt with much of this, reflecting still helped me learn something new about myself.
Caroline F., US
The process is simple. The test covers everything you need, and you’ll get a clear breakdown of your results. For just a few dollars, it’s a great value.
Klara N., CZ
I kept thinking there might be a small chance, but now I know for sure. The questions were easy to understand, and the whole process was straightforward.
Bruno M., BR
I really enjoyed this experience. I learned a lot, and it helped me make sense of my thoughts and the feeling I’ve had for a long time that I may have grown up with undiagnosed ADHD.
Alice B., FR
Great platform — the insights were genuinely meaningful!
Daniel W., DE
Everything was easy to follow. The tools you get at the end are genuinely helpful for self-growth, and the price is very reasonable. I really appreciate that.
Sofia M., ES
Surprisingly accurate — honestly didn’t expect it to nail things so well.
Adir B., IL
There are lots of different tests to pick from, and the price is surprisingly low for how much insight you get.
Olivia W., CA
I was pleasantly surprised when I read the results. It was as if someone had sorted out my messy thoughts and given me useful tips to help me speak with more confidence.
Grace O., IE
It was really solid, very detailed, and it actually helped me make sense of a lot of things.
Carla T., TT
I was really impressed with the report. It was clear, thoughtful, and it reflected things I’ve been noticing about myself.
Jade H., US
The questions made me think deeply and helped me become more self-aware.
Brooke S., US
Reading through most of the questions made me feel understood. Although I’ve already worked through some of these issues, the questions still gave me useful insights and helped me learn more about myself.
Ryan M., US
I usually take one or two tests each month, and this has become a good way for me to see how I’m doing.
Lucas W., US
Most of the time, my results are in the 90 to 98th percentile compared to others. It really makes me feel like there’s something unique about me.
Ethan C., US
I tried out some of the AI’s suggestions, and to be honest, they worked much better than I thought they would. Maybe this thing really is smarter than me.
Reece D., AU
Trusted by 22k+ Users Worldwide
CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this scale measure?
It measures motivation for psychotherapy and readiness for internal change. It differentiates types of motivation, including self-directed motives and pressure-driven motives.
How is the scale completed?
Read each statement and select the response that best matches the current reason for participating in therapy. Answer all items based on typical feelings and behavior, not exceptional situations.
How long does it take and how many items are included?
Completion usually takes about 5 minutes. The scale includes 24 statements.
How are results used in treatment planning?
Results indicate the level and type of motivation, which can guide selection of therapeutic strategies and pacing. They can also highlight areas where engagement may decrease during treatment.
Are there right or wrong answers?
No; the scale is not a test of knowledge or character. Accurate responses support a more valid interpretation of motivation at the time of completion.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment

Patient Motivation for Psychotherapy Scale Test

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.

Author: edward-l-deci, richard-m-ryan
Literature: Norcross, J. C. Psychotherapy relationships that work: Evidence-based responsiveness. Oxford University Press. 2011.; Pelletier, L. G., Tuson, K. M., & Haddad, N. K. Client Motivation for Therapy Scale: A measure of intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation for therapy. Journal of Personality Assessment. 1997.
Test Question Form
You Might Also Like
Career Motivation Scale
This self-report instrument is used to assess motivations and attitudes rel…
Start Test
Social Interest Scale in Group Psychotherapy
In group treatment settings, clinicians often need a brief way to document…
Start Test
Treatment Adherence Factors Scale
This measure is designed to support rapid identification of barriers to fol…
Start Test
Comments
Leave a Comment