Developing the Treatment Plan

Morrison provides a list of questions to consider when developing the treatment plan, and they are: “Is the treatment likely to reverse the course of this disorder; How certain is the diagnosis; How urgent is treatment; How costly is treatment; Does the therapy you are considering have relative contradictions; Have you considered all feasible treatment modalities” (p. 225-7).

            The questions above will help the counselor to determine, think about, the client’s diagnosis and differential diagnosis, because this needs to be accurate. The patient’s treatment will be based on the diagnosis. The prognosis of the patient will based on the scientific method, information known about the general diagnosis criteria will predict the outcome for the patient (p.228). There will be many things that will decrease or increase the prognosis – outcomes. Morrison suggest these factors: “principal diagnosis, availability of treatment, duration and course of illness, previous response to treatment, compliance with treatment, available social supports, premorbid personality, highest recent level of functioning, and other factors” (p.229-230).   

            If the therapist feels that further investigation is needed, then this should be stated in the diagnostic summary. It is important for the therapist to make referrals for the client if they are unable to provide treatment or if other aspects of the patient’s life require treatment, services, to help them deal with other problems in their life.

 

References

 

Morrison, J., (2008). The First Interview. (3^rd Ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.