Clinical and counseling psychologists

 

Clinical and counseling psychologists utilize treatment plans to document a client’s progress toward short- and long-term goals. The content within psychological treatment plans varies depending on the clinical setting.

The clinician’s theoretical orientation, evidenced-based practices, and the client’s needs are taken into account when developing and implementing a treatment plan.

Typically, the client’s presenting problem(s), behaviorally defined symptom(s), goals, objectives, and interventions determined by the clinician are included within a treatment plan.

To understand the treatment planning process, students will assume the role of a clinical or counseling psychologist and develop a comprehensive treatment plan based on the same case study utilized for the Psychiatric Diagnosis of Julia.

A minimum of five peer-reviewed resources must be used to support the recommendations made within the plan. The Psychological Treatment Plan must include the headings and content outlined below. Comment by Figure E:

Behaviorally Defined Symptoms

Define the client’s presenting problem(s) and provide a diagnostic impression.

Identify how the problem(s) is/are evidenced in the client’s behavior.

List the client’s cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Comment by Figure E:

Long-Term Goal

Generate a long-term treatment goal that represents the desired outcome for the client.

This goal should be broad and does not need to be measurable. Comment by Figure E:

Short-Term Objectives

Generate a minimum of three short-term objectives for attaining the long-term goal.

Each objective should be stated in behaviorally measurable language. Subjective or vague objectives are not acceptable. For example, it should be stated that the objective will be accomplished by a specific date or that a specific symptom will be reduced by a certain percentage. Comment by Figure E:

Interventions

Identify at least one intervention for achieving each of the short-term objectives.

Compare a minimum of three evidence-based theoretical orientations from which appropriate interventions can be selected for the client.

Explain the connection between the theoretical orientation and the corresponding intervention selected.

Provide a rationale for the integration of multiple theoretical orientations within this treatment plan.

Identify two to three treatment modalities (e.g., individual, couple, family, group, etc.) that would be appropriate for use with the client.

It is a best practice to include outside providers (e.g., psychiatrists, medical doctors, nutritionists, social workers, holistic practitioners, etc.) in the intervention planning process to build a support network that will assist the client in the achievement of treatment goals. Comment by Figure E: