This paper explores patients' reasons for attending their clinical psychology appointments. Forty patients attending their initial appointment completed a questionnaire designed from previous research on non-attendance. Using a categorisation system and responses to individual questionnaire items, results were analysed descriptively for the whole sample, and according to age, gender, and disorder. Patients' "perception of their problem" was found to be very important in their decision to attend, and remained so when analysed by age, gender, and disorder. Male participants considered "support from significant others" important in their decision to attend, with their GP's reaction to their problem being particularly important. Rank ordering of individual items revealed similarities between subgroups, with the most important items associated with attendance being the effect on ones' life, the severity, and duration of the problem. Results are discussed in relation to previous research and suggestions for future research highlighted.