The NijmegenMotivation List 2 (NML2) is a new instrument to assess patient motivation for psychotherapy. A previous version ofthe instrument was associated with positive treatment outcome in cognitive-behaviour therapy in several studies butits psychometric properties were poor. The present study investigated the NML2’s factorial structure,psychometric properties, and predictive value for treatment outcome. The NML2 was completed by 133 outpatients.Three factors were found: preparedness, distress, and doubt. Internal consistencies and re-test reliabilities of thefactors were reasonable. The NML2 total score and preparedness were associated with proximal treatment helpfulnessand with treatment drop-out. Distress and doubt were not. These findings corroborate those found with the earlierNML version. Rather than assuming that the relationship between motivation factors and treatment outcome is mediatedby the amount or quality of treatment or homework compliance, it is proposed that motivation for treatment is thefirst step in the patient’s change process itself.