The study aimed to investigate why patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia discontinue psychological therapy. Patients who dropped out of a randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behaviour therapy and supportive counselling in the treatment of persistent positive psychotic symptoms were asked to complete a questionnaire on their reasons for doing so. Nine out of 12 patients who dropped out completed the questionnaire which consisted of 22 items that could be rated true or false. Although the size of the sample was small, the response rate was acceptable at 75%. The median number of reasons given was 7 (range 3 to 12), with the most common reason being that therapy was not perceived as suitable for the individual’s particular problems. The characteristics of the patients who dropped out are described.