Young people's expectations, preferences, and actual experience of youth mental health care

Understanding young people's expectations, preferences and actual experience of therapy is essential, given these factors are linked with engagement in therapy and clinical outcomes. This study examined differences between young people's expectations, preferences and actual experience of seeking professional help. Age and gender differences were also examined. Participants included 228 young people aged 12–25 who completed a survey on contact with a youth mental health care service; of these, 102 completed a follow-up survey two months later.