Treatment Modality
Treatment Modality
Treatment Modality
The most prevalent treatment modalities, or methods, are individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy.
A client works one-on-one with a qualified therapist in an individual therapy session.
Typically, 510 people gather with a skilled group therapist to discuss a common topic in group therapy (e.g., divorce, grief, eating disorders, substance abuse, or anger management).
Couples therapy is for two people who are in an intimate relationship and are facing problems that they want to fix.
Its possible that the couple is dating, partnered, engaged, or married.
The therapist assists them in resolving their issues as well as developing solutions for a healthier and happier relationship.
Family therapy is a type of group therapy that is unique.
One or more families make up the treatment group.
The purpose of this strategy is to help each individual family member and the entire family grow.
Address the following in a progress note (without breaking HIPAA restrictions) using the client family from your Week 3 Practicum Assignment:
The approachs efficacy and the treatment technique utilized
Progress (or lack thereof) toward mutually agreed-upon client objectives (reference the treatment plan for progress toward goals)
Changes to the treatment plan that were changed as a result of improvement or lack thereof
Clinical thoughts on the diagnosis and/or symptoms
Relevant psychosocial information or changes since the initial evaluation (e.g., marriage, divorce, new relationships, transfer to a new house/apartment, job change)
Concerns about safety
Actions conducted in the event of a clinical emergency
Medications taken by the patient, even if they were not prescribed by the nurse psychotherapist.
Treatment compliance (or lack thereof)
Consultations with doctors
Collaboration with other specialists (phone consultations with physicians, psychiatrists, and marriage/family therapists, for example)
The therapists recommendations, as well as whether or not the client agreed with them
Reasons for making referrals/referrals made
Temination and difficulties related to the termination procedure (e.g., client informed of loss of insurance or refusal of insurance company to pay for continued sessions)
Consent and/or informed consent for treatment issues Information on child abuse and/or elder or dependent adult abuse, including documentation of where the abuse was reported
Information derived from the therapists professional judgment
When someone seeks therapy, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, an intake is conducted to determine his clinical needs.
The first encounter between the therapist and the client is called an intake.
The therapist collects precise information to address the clients urgent requirements, such as the clients presenting problem, support system, and insurance status.
The therapist discusses confidentiality, fees, and what to expect during treatment with the client.
Confidentiality refers to the therapists ability to keep confidential discussions private unless required or permitted by law.
The therapist and the client will collaborate throughout the intake to discuss therapy goals.
Then, usually with precise measurable goals in mind, a treatment plan will be devised.
The therapist and client will also talk about how treatment success will be measured and how long treatment will take.
Individual therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, and group therapy are the most prevalent therapeutic modalities (Figure 1).
Individual Counseling
Individual therapy, also known as individual psychotherapy or individual counseling, is a one-on-one meeting between the client and the clinician (usually from 45 minutes to 1 hour).
These meetings are usually held once a week or every other week, and they are held in a private and loving environment (Figure 2).
Clients will work with the clinician to examine their emotions, work through life issues, identify elements of themselves and their lives that they want to change, and develop objectives to assist them achieve these changes.
A client may just see a clinician for a few sessions or may participate in individual treatment sessions for a year or longer.
The length of time spent in treatment is determined by the clients needs as well as her personal goals.
Therapy in a Group
A dialogue between a group of people organized in a circle is displayed.
Figure 2: In group therapy, 510 people gather with a skilled therapist to talk about a common problem like divorce, sorrow, an eating disorder, substance misuse, or anger management.
(Photo courtesy of Cory Zanker)
In group therapy, a therapist meets with a group of clients who are dealing with similar issues (Figure 2).
When it comes to placing children in group therapy, its especially vital to match clients by age and problem.
One advantage of group therapy is that it can make a client feel less ashamed and isolated about a problem while also providing vital support from the therapist and other group members (American Psychological Association, 2014).
For example, a nine-year-old sexual abuse victim may feel humiliated and ashamed.
He will learn he is not alone if he is placed in a group with other sexually victimized boys.
A group with a unique curriculum to build special talents would undoubtedly benefit a child with inadequate social skills.
Being in a group with other women suffering from postpartum depression might make a woman feel less guilty and more comforted.
There are certain restrictions to group therapy as well.
Members of the group may be hesitant to talk in front of others because it can be difficult and overwhelming to share secrets and concerns with complete strangers.
There could be personality clashes and disagreements among the members of the group.
There can also be issues regarding confidentiality: someone in the group might tell individuals outside the group what another participant said.
Note: Be sure to exclude any information that should not be found in a discoverable progress note.
