Stages of Psychotherapy

Stages of Psychotherapy

An initial consultation generally involves a discussion of the patient has decided to seek help and what the patient hopes to gain from the psychotherapy experience.Initial Consultation

Am I likely to e able to work with this person successfully?The initial consultation may result in the decision not to continue services. The patient may decide that his or her goals and needs cannot be adequately met by the psychologist for a variety of reason.This may involved formal psychological testing or extended interview. Essentially the psychologist must size up the patient and the situation to develop a reasonable level of understanding concerning the diagnosis and direction for designing a treatment program.AssessmentOnce a reasonable level of understanding about the nature of the problems is established, treatment goals and objectives can e developed.Patient and psychologist should have some understanding in the goals of treatment.Development of Treatment Goals

Once the treatment goals are developed, a treatment plan should be outlined to reach them.

the actual treatment is provoked with the hope of reaching the treatment goals. The treatment plan may include individual, couple, family or group psychotherapy in weekly, biweekly or daily sessions.Different theoretical approaches might be used as well, and biological, psychological, and social interventions carried out.Implementation of TreatmentDuring the treatment, an evaluation of the treatment should be regularly conducted to determine whether the treatment plan is working effectively or needs to be altered to be more useful to the patient.Evaluation of Treatment

Once psychotherapy has successfully reached the treatment goals, psychotherapy is usually terminated.Termination

Sometimes treatment is terminated prematurely due to a variety of factors such as the patients financial or time constraints or resistance to change; a job or move on the part of the patient or psychologist; changes in insurance coverage; and so forth.

Follow-up sessions are scheduled or at least offered to the patient to ensure that the changes achieved during the course of the therapy are maintained after treatment is terminated.Follow-up