Having a client drop out of therapy prematurely is a devastating blow to a therapist. It is up to you as a therapist to make sure that you are doing everything in your power to prevent this from happening.
Having regular check-ins with your patients is a great way to ensure that they maintain their gains in treatment. Studies have shown that structured post-treatment check-ins are associated with reduced alcohol consumption. In particular, having a high-frequency phone call or text message can help you stay in contact with your health care provider and reduce the chances of relapse.
Similarly, having a checklist of action items is a good idea. This type of system can be a great way to get a sense of belonging in the workplace. The trick is to use a standardized template and make sure that everyone gets the same pointers. The best way to do this is to provide a checklist of what to do and when to do it. This is a great way to ensure that you don't forget anything, and you don't lose any valuable resources.
One of the more interesting findings in the study was that the high frequency phone check-ins did not necessarily lead to higher abstinence rates. This is an area where more research is needed to better understand the efficacy of these types of intervention.
Using a randomized control design, the authors tested two high-frequency phone call and text message check-ins in addition to a no-check-in control group. The high-frequency phone call check-ins were used in conjunction with a more conventional treatment program that included weekly sessions. The benefits of the check-ins were not statistically significant.
Getting access to mental health services can be difficult, especially for the uninsured. This is because most people do not seek treatment because they believe it is too costly. The cost of treatment can be made affordable, but policymakers must ensure that behavioral health care is accessible to all.
Many individuals require one to five hours of therapy per week. For some, this will add up to thousands of dollars in treatment costs. The cost of outpatient psychotherapy often includes a deductible.
Those who do not have insurance can pay out-of-pocket for treatment. In some cases, this may result in inadequate treatment. When the diagnosis requires intensive treatment programs, copays can easily add up to hundreds of dollars a month.
Patients often face difficulty in finding psychiatrists and therapists. In some cases, patients can wait months for an intake appointment. The credentialing process can take several months.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that minority groups have lower rates of access to mental health services than non-minority populations. People belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be uninsured and to have a behavioral health disorder. In addition, they are less likely to use community mental health services.
The National Institute of Mental Health has developed the Minority Health and Mental Health Disparities Program to help address these issues. It provides guidance and support for clinicians, policymakers, and consumers.