[inkblot]

I am wondering how does a psychologist determine a treatment plan? (Goals, admission criteria, etc.) I am particularly thinking about stress or PTSD disorders or eating disorders. I am curious what's involved in making those decisions. Thanks for your insight!

[splash]

hi inkblot,

I'm not a healthcare professional nor do I have any experience in these matters, but I'm like you, curious and wanting to know things. My college degree happens to be in occupational therapy, and I did a three-month internship at a psychiatric facility, but that just really explains my interest more than anything. I currently work as a software (Java) programmer. Go figure.

Anyways, I would imagine that a treatment plan is determined after assessing the problems and needs of the individual. A simple example, for anyone, really, would be a problem of feeling stressed, with a measurable goal of feeling less stressed, and the means or methods to get to that goal, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, etc.

Does this help? I haven't read all of your posts (sorry!), but have you done much research online for information regarding PTSD? There are some good and not-so-good sites out there. DocJohn's site contains links to some <A target="_blank" HREF=http://psychcentral.com/resources/Post-traumatic_Stress/>websites on PTSD and trauma</A>.

Best wishes,

splash

[jennie]

with me, they asked ME what my goals were. my goals were fuzzy so they help develop goals more clearly. i would guess admission criteria is taylored to the individual too. for instance, if he/she isn't safe alone, then they admit. or if the person would benefit from more treatment because personal issues really bothersome.

<font color=purple> Man can will nothing unless he has first understood that he must count no one but himself; that he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth. Jean-Paul Sartre </font color=purple>

[splash]

hi purebugg!

Good point, about client/patient coming up with their own goals as well as working with the therapist/doctor on coming up with goals. It's usually a joint effort.

splash

[DocJohn]

Exactly what everyone here has already replied...

Treatment plans are best determined in conjunction with the client, asking them what kinds of things they would like to get out of therapy. The professional often takes the ideas expressed by the client and puts them into measurable and achievable chunks.

So, for instance, let's say your goal is basically to not have PTSD any more, it might be expressed in getting rid of one or more of the most harmful symptoms. For a lot of people with PTSD, that might be reducing the number of flashbacks experienced in one month from X to Z number. Sometimes that Z number might be zero, but I found it's also helpful to be realistic in treatment plans, so just reducing the number of flashbacks from X to X-2 per month or something is often more realistic.

Then such goals are more easily measured because the therapist should ask (at least once a month, but ideally, every session), "How many flashbacks have you had this week?" If you go from 2 to 1 every week after a few months of treatment, then boom, you've achieved that goal! Then you set a new goal, until you actually do hit zero a month (or something like once a year... even when a person is done treatment for something like PTSD, it doesn't guarantee you'll never have another flashback).

Treatment plans, in my mind, should always be realistic and achievable within a few months' time. They should also be revisited on a regular basis to ensure that psychotherapy is actually doing something for the client. Otherwise, you have no semi-objective way of knowing whether any of that is working for you!

Best,
DocJohn

[jennie]

thanks Dr Grohol, that post was very helpful to me.

<font color=purple> Man can will nothing unless he has first understood that he must count no one but himself; that he is alone, abandoned on earth in the midst of his infinite responsibilities, without help, with no other aim than the one he sets himself, with no other destiny than the one he forges for himself on this earth. Jean-Paul Sartre </font color=purple>