qsn

Professor: Standard Treatment Plan

Some agencies have a standard treatment plan for all of their clients. Would you recommend this? Is it ethical? Explain.

My response:

Good morning

Re: Topic 5 DQ 1 (Obj. 5.1): Why is it important for the client to collaborate in the creation of the treatment plan? Who owns the treatment plan? What if your goals are different from your client? Provide an example to support your response.

Treatment plans are important because they help provide an overall guide to treatment for both the therapist and the client, when sticking to the treatment plan this can help reduce the risk of fraud, waste, abuse and unintentional harm to clients, while also create a smooth transition from not being treated to being treated (Ackerman, 2019). Overall the usage of treatment goals should be realistic and actually attainable for the client. Even though the client probably wants quick results that is not how things work in this field. Clients are coming in with deep rooted issues and these things cannot be fixed in a short amount of time. It is important for the counselor to recognize this, point it out to the client and help them recognize this as well. Client and counselor definitely need to be on the same page when it comes to developing a treatment plan. Without an effective treatment plan a patient will more than likely not have a clear path when it comes to overall directions and how to improve their negative behavior (Sandy, 2018). Even though it is ideal for the client and counselor to be in agreeance, sometimes this might not happen. I believe that the treatment plan belongs to the client and the counselor is a support system. Counselors can give their professional option but at the end of the day it is up to the client to set goals and do the work to reach them. Counselors can redirect when necessary and just point out important factors to the client. If the client is unrealistic or not putting in the work to change their behavior there is little that the counselor can do. So for example, if there is a middle aged woman suffering from depression and she is aware that drinking alcohol decreases her mood but she still drinks it on a nightly basis, this situation is problematic. Counselor can suggest abstinence from the alcohol and maybe attend AA meetings. The client set her goal to become more active and not drinking daily. If the client continues to drink and does not attempt to stop the destructive behavior there is very little the counselor can do and the client will need to make the necessary steps to help change her life.

 

Ackerman. (2019). Mental health treatment plans: templates goals and objectives. Retrieved from  https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/mental-health-treatment-plans/

Sandy. (2018). Guide to creating mental health treatment plans. Retrieved from https://www.icanotes.com/2018/08/24/guide-to-creating-mental-health-treatment-plans/

My response:

Good morning Shatera

Re: Topic 5 DQ 1 (Obj. 5.1)

It is very important for the client to collaborate in the creation of their treatment plan if you expect to get buy-in from the client on completing the tasks laid out in the objectives to meet the goal. Treatment plans should always be strength-based and collaborative and should reflect not only the best interest of the client, it should reflect their goals and areas they want to be addressed, how they feel they can best address them, and utilize current client supports, strengths, abilities, cultural reflections, intellectual level abilities, interventions, and hoped for progress and outcomes. The treatment plan is a contract and a concrete representation of the therapeutic alliance between the client and the clinician and “gives clients and their counselors a method of tracking the progress of their work together and provides us with a means of substantiating the success and value of our clinical work” (Schwitzer & Rubin, 2015, p. 114).

I don’t know who “owns” the treatment plan, but I do know it is considered the work product of the clinician, the documentation property of the agency or practice of the clinician, but clients also have a right to have access to their records for review and even paper copies of them if requested in writing, and some agencies charge for the copies. Personally, I have no problem sharing the treatment plan with the client, and if they would like a copy for themselves, I think they are entitled to have a copy of the roadmap they have helped design in collaboration with the clinician.

Finally, while my goals may differ from those of my client, if the plan is created together, as partners on their journey to wellness, there should not be much of a discrepancy. Obviously if the mental disorder is severe, or the client disagrees with a diagnosis and plan of action for treatment, this could become complicated, particularly in the instance of certain disorders where compliance is difficult, where the client may struggle with adherence, or be resistant, this could require a referral or a higher level of care. For example, a client who is diagnosed with schizophrenia but likes the auditory hallucinations and does not want to take medication that may eliminate the voices, a higher level of care where compliance can be monitored and enforced may be necessary.

Schwitzer, A. M., & Rubin, L. C. (2015). Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Skills: A Popular Culture Casebook Approach (DSM-5 Update). SAGE Publications.

My response:

Good morning Victoria

Re: Topic 5 DQ 1 (Obj. 5.1)

It is important that the client and clinician collaborate in the creation of the treatment plan because they are the ones in control. The client needs to make decisions and list goals so that they keep their determination for healing and the hard work that is going to come about during this time. One of the goals of the clinician is to strengthen the client’s skills to resolve problems on their own so that therapy is not a lifetime happening for them. (Schwitzer & Rubin, 2015) If the clinician were to take charge and develop the plan on their own, they would miss that opportunity and could have goals that the client does not necessarily desire. Developing this plan together also ensures that they are on the same page. The clinician is aware of what the client desires and the client is aware of their problems and what needs to happen for them to overcome.

If the clinician’s goals are different from the client, the clinician needs to abandon those goals and seek the client’s because they are the ones driving in this scenario. There will be times when the clinician sees behaviors or realizes that there are deeper illnesses that have not been addressed, but the clinician cannot force the client into seeing those. This could disrupt the progress and cause the client to terminate the relationship because it was too much too fast.

 

Reference

Schwitzer, A. M., & Rubin, L. C. (2015). Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Skills: A Popular Culture Casebook Approach (DSM-5 Update). SAGE Publications.

My response:

Good morning Kristen,

Why is it important for the client to collaborate in the creation of the treatment plan? Who owns the treatment plan? What if your goals are different from your client? Provide an example to support your response.

It is important for a client to collaborate in the creation of the treatment plan, due to the treatment process. A client has many needs and expectations within the client and counselor relationship. The client has expectations for themselves and for the counselor. This relationship is based on trust and gives the client the fairest opportunities. A counselor must include the client within the treatment process due to the expectations. The process can become tricky at times when goals differ between client and counselor. The client is the most important thing when coming up with a treatment plan. The counselor must make a coordinating treatment plan with the client’s expectations and the counselors underlying knowledge. The counselor and client must work together to make this treatment plan that works for the client. The client must agree to the treatment to have the most successful outcome. For example, a client may only want to participate in sessions once a week, but a counselor feels that it is necessary to meet 3 times a week. They both agree for a 8 weeks they will meet at the counselors 3 times, and after the 8 weeks they would renegotiate.

References:

 

MARUISH, MARK E. KAUFMAN, ALAN S. (2019). ESSENTIALS OF TREATMENT PLANNING. Place of publication not identified: JOHN WILEY & Sons.

My response:

Good morning Tori,

DQ#2: Are culturally sensitive treatment plans possible? Why or Why not? How does the developmental stage of the client influence the treatment plan? Please include at least two scholarly journal articles in your posting.

Although mental health practitioners and researchers have turned their attention to developing culturally sensitive therapeutic practices, an integrative framework is lacking (Santiago-Rivera 1995). As therapist cultural competency is a major topic that comes up often and in training and in our practice. I feel that treatment plans are geared more now to cultural sensitivity than they have been in the past. For example, now, there are choices to read and understand the material in many different languages and if a interpreters is needed then we make it happen. Due to the advancement in technology, educating yourself one culture if you are unfamiliar with the basics, you become informed instantly. I find that the best way is to ask your client about their culture and beliefs instead of remain ignorant and it is a great way to build report and get information from the client that is needed for their treatment plan. Once clients are in contact with a treatment program, they stand on the far side of a yet-to-be-established therapeutic relationship. It is up to counselors and other staff members to bridge the gap. Handshakes, facial expressions, greetings, and small talk are simple gestures that establish a first impression and begin building the therapeutic relationship. Involving one's whole being in a greeting—thought, body, attitude, and spirit—is most engaging (NCIB 2014).

Reference: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US). Improving Cultural Competence. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 59.) 3, Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Treatment Planning. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK248423/

Developing a Culturally Sensitive Treatment Modality for Bilingual Spanish‐Speaking Clients: Incorporating Language and Culture in Counseling 1995 American Counseling Association Volume 74, Issue 1 Azara L. Santiago‐Rivera First published: September‐October 1995 https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1995.tb01816.x

My response:

Good afternoon AnaKalia

Culturally sensitive treatment plans are very possible. It is the duty of the counselor to adhere to someone’s culture as this is a huge part of the person, and how it affects the therapeutic process. This is achieved by following the ACA code of ethics section A.2.c, which states that “ counselors use clear and understandable language when discussing issues.” This entails the counselors translate terminology in a way that the client can understand the actions being taken for their care. This can be accomplished by utilizing an interpreter (ACA, 2014). In addition to language, counselors adapt to the cultural norms and practices of the individual. For example Native American culture highly respects dreams and spirits; therefore, the counselor should utilize treatment that incorporates approaches such as dream analysis, this will use the norms in the culture to assist treatment in a culturally sensitive manner.

It is important to understand developmental stages as it can help the counselor acknowledge latencies in growth, age-related patterns, developmental tasks, and interactions among biopsychosocial interactions (National research council, 2009). When counselors are aware of age-related patterns, they can develop interventions that work on prevention and promotion of normal development. Such developmental theories could include Erikson, Piaget, and developmental psychology (National research council, 2009). Utilizing such knowledge is helpful in communicating to the client where they should be and where they currently are in their stage of development. An important conversation counselors should have with clients is that while they may be at a different stage of development, it does not mean they are stupid or incompetent. Everybody progresses at their own pace, and some have very serious reasons for the latency in development. Trauma is a serious matter that can stunt the growth of a person. Trauma can stem from past or current situations and can leave someone with PTSD or PTSS (De Bellis & Zisk, 2014).

ACA. (2014). Code of ethics. American counseling association. Retrieved from: https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

De Bellis, M. D., & Zisk, A. (2014). The biological effects of childhood trauma. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America, 23(2), 185–vii. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2014.01.002

National Research Council (US) and Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on the Prevention of Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse Among Children, Youth, and Young Adults: Research Advances and Promising Interventions; O'Connell ME, Boat T, Warner KE, editors. Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009. 4, Using a Developmental Framework to Guide Prevention and Promotion. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK32792/

My response:

Good afternoon Sydnee