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Patient Motivation for Psychotherapy Scale

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.

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Questions: 245 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

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

22551 view

1737 completions

1542 likes

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

4 – 12: Low amotivation | 13 – 20: Moderate amotivation | 21 – 28: High 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

4 – 12: Low external regulation | 13 – 20: Moderate external regulation | 21 – 28: High 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

4 – 12: Low integration | 13 – 20: Moderate integration | 21 – 28: High 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

4 – 12: Low | 13 – 20: Moderate | 21 – 28: High

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

4 – 12: Low introjective pressure | 13 – 20: Moderate introjective pressure | 21 – 28: High 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

4 – 12: Low | 13 – 20: Moderate | 21 – 28: High

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.

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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.

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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

9.8 — 15.7

min.

max.

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

10.1 — 16.1

min.

max.

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

15.8 — 22.3

min.

max.

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

10.2 — 18.3

min.

max.

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

15.7 — 23.7

min.

max.

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

7.6 — 16

min.

max.

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.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

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 - Symptoms and Signs

psychotherapy self-determination

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.

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