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Client preferences have been identified as an essential part of evidence‐based practice in psychology. Further, client preferences have been found to play an important role in determining premature termination and therapy outcomes. However, our current understanding of this client variable is limited because of the methodologies that have previously been used to assess these preferences. In this study, 57 adult clients from a university‐based psychology department clinic completed an instrument weighing preferences for intervention specific empirical support against preferences for 4 other common factor variables. These clients were found to discount a significant amount of intervention empirical support to ensure the following: (a) a satisfactory therapeutic relationship could be developed, (b) their therapist would be empathetic and accepting, (c) their therapist would have a greater level of experience, and (d …