Mental Health Treatment Plans

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Works

According to the National Association for Mental Illness, cognitive-behavioral therapy differs from other therapy forms because the patient and therapist can actively work together to set and accomplish goals that are geared towards helping them recover from their mental illness.

  • A mental health treatment plan should be created as a collaboration between a mental health professional and his or her client. Communication is important for creating a plan that will help a client reach his or her mental health goals. 
  • Even though a mental health treatment plan should be made before the client begins treatment, a mental health treatment plan may be reevaluated every year depending on the client’s changing needs and progress.
  • A mental health treatment plan should be created with the patient’s goals in mind to ensure that treatment will be focused and goal-oriented. This will help keep each session on task so that every session is a step towards the client’s short and long-term mental health goals.
  • No two treatment plans will look the same as treatment plans should be specifically tailored to a client based on his or her specific needs and goals. A treatment plan that works for one person may not work for someone else even if they both have the same diagnosis.
  • Many people can picture their end goal, but struggle with the steps to get there. A treatment plan is a way to easily start a discussion of where to go from here and what is a good next step for the client.

Creating A Mental Health Treatment Plan

While not all mental health professionals will require a mental health treatment plan, having a mental health treatment plan can guide a person during his or her treatment to make sure that the person is successful in developing tools that will help the client manage his or her mental health and meet his or her mental health goals. It is helpful when a client and mental health professional work together to identify the client’s personal strengths as well as the strengths of his or her support system. Included in the treatment plan should be the client’s desired goals or outcome of the treatment. The goals in the treatment plan should be realistically achievable, measurable, and specific to the client’s needs. A person’s mental health goals should also be broken down into smaller objectives or short-term goals that must be completed in order for the client to achieve his or her long-term goals. A mental health plan should include the frequencies in which sessions will occur and the anticipated completion dates of a client’s objectives.

 

A mental health treatment plan may be used as a guide for both a mental health professional and his or her client to make sure each session brings the client a step closer towards his or her goal. Having a mental health treatment plan can also help a client monitor his or her progress. A client can look back at the plan and visually see the work it took to get to where he or she is now. The ability for a person to see his or her treatment plan on paper might help the client better understand the steps required of the client to meet his or her goals and give the client a better sense of the journey he or she is about to embark on.

How Shoreline Recovery Center Can Help

At Shoreline Recovery Center, we understand that communication is the best way to develop a mental health treatment plan that will meet your needs. Our professionals are dedicated to creating a mental health treatment plan that caters to your strengths, needs, and goals. Shoreline Recovery Center believes that recovery is a team effort and no one should ever have to suffer this journey alone. If you are interested in learning more about what we have to offer you, please contact us.

Eating disorder

Substance abbuse disorders

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)

Anxiety disorder

Schizophrenia

Sleeping disorders

Bipolar disorder

Phobias

Depression

Benefits of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

As a research-based treatment process, CBT has proven to show most effective when treating for drug or alcohol addictions, and for specific diagnosed mental health complications. It is entirely reasonable for those who struggle with substance abuse and addiction to exhibit negative thoughts and actions. Not recognizing these patterns can quickly become harmful and often require treatments such as CBT to combat and eliminate those negative external influences.

When stating that CBT is very well structured, few other therapies are as problem-focused, goal-directed, and present-orientated than proper cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven to be. The strong foundation and organization of this treatment are capable of providing a vast number of benefits, most notably to include the following:

  • CBT sessions can be customized depending on the patient’s needs and can be provided in both group and individual therapy settings
  • CBT provides the necessary help and coaching that is needed to develop and implement coping strategies that the patient will be able to use throughout the rest of their lives
  • CBT gives each patient a comfortable setting where they can establish healthy relationships with their therapist so that working closely to improve on their issues is possible. Also, you are able to work to accomplish goals that have been set collectively
  • CBT methods can explore the behavior and thought patterns that may lead to self-harming or destructive behaviors.

Getting Started

Many people have done their own research and made the decision without the help of others to begin treatment in the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Recommendations from doctors are also commonly seen as the primary reason why people choose to explore this form of treatment. Getting started with CBT treatment is a nearly effortless and painless process. The main three steps to get the ball rolling include:

1. Finding a Therapist

Getting a referral from your doctor, health care provider, family member, or other friends you trust are useful resources when searching for a therapist best suited for you. Many employers also provide counseling services and the ability to get referrals through employee assistance programs, or EAP’s. Of course, you can also find a therapist to work with yourself.

2. Understand the costs

You should first find out what type of coverage is available through your insurance provider for psychotherapy treatment. There are a number of healthcare plans that only cover a specific amount of these sessions each calendar year. Talking with the therapist about the fees and payment options is also a credible source where you can get this information.

3. Review your concerns

To ensure the best possible outcomes are obtained, potential patients are encouraged to think about some specific issues that would like to be improved. While this process of identifying the most critical issues can be done with your therapist, having some sense and time to ponder them may provide a more accurate and useful starting point.

Get Help Today

Take the first step to recovery and get the help you need. Our medical professionals are here to assist you with you dual diagnosis conditions