What is treament planning? - Chapter 9

This chapter is about treatment planning and what goes into it.

What does effective treatment planning require?

Effective treatment planning requires a sound diagnosis, a solid formulation of the case and consideration of the characteristics of the client and his/her aspirations, values, sense of purpose, and goals.

Treatment is tailored to the individual; the therapist develops an overall strategy as well as a specific plan for each session. The therapist develops and continually modifies a general plan for treatment across sessions and a more specific plan before each session and within each session. There are certain areas that can be considered essential to effectively plan treatment, some of which are:

• Accomplishing broad therapeutic goals. Therapeutic goals are not only to facilitate remission of clients’ disorders, but also to prevent relapse. The clients are taught to become their own therapist.

• Planning treatment across sessions. The therapist develops a specific plan for each individual session.

Broadly speaking, therapy has three phases:

1. At the beginning, the therapist focuses on building a strong relationship; and making a treatment plan by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the client; identifying the problem and solutions to the problem; psychoeduction; making a plan.

2. In the middle phase, the therapist continues with working towards the set objectives, but also emphasizes strengthening the more positive beliefs of the client and modifying the clients' dysfunctional beliefs.

3. At the final stage, the therapist focuses on preparing for termination, continuing to work toward goals, increasing a sense of well-being, improving resilience and preventing relapse.

A treatment plan should be based on:

• The diagnostic evaluation.
• The principles of treatment and general treatment strategies for that disorder.
• The conceptualization of the client.
• The aspirations, strengths, values and sense of purpose of the client.
• The possible obstacles in taking steps towards the goals.

It is helpful to identify the steps needed to help clients reach a goal or solve a specific problem. The way people get better is by making small changes in their thinking and behavior every day. 

Deciding how to spend the time is an important part of every session. Although you collaborate in making this decision with clients, the therapist should ask herself: Which issues or goals can we work on that will help the client feel better by the end of the session and have a better week?