According To The Counsel On Social Work Education Competency

According To The Counsel On Social Work Education Competency 4 Engag

Review the agency’s intervention/treatment plan used to engage clients. After reviewing the agency’s intervention/treatment plan, consult the literature and conduct extensive research, with the goal of finding best practices that support or add to the agency’s current intervention/treatment plan. The purpose of this assignment is to find research that supports or adds to the agency’s current intervention/treatment approach. Submit a 1-2-page paper in which you:

1. Briefly describe the agency’s intervention/treatment plan (Student agency is a short term inpatient mental health/substance abuse hospital. The treatment plan assesses client strengths and deficits, and sets goals and interventions for each client’s treatment).
2. Briefly discuss best practices about interventions identified in the literature.
3. Briefly discuss how the agency can incorporate those best practices into the current intervention/treatment plan.
4. Provide a brief summary of the similarities and differences between the intervention/treatment plan used at the agency and the suggested practices in the literature. If no formal process is used in the agency, discuss the current process and compare it to the suggestions in the literature.

You are expected to present and discuss this assignment with your agency Field Instructor. Your field instructor will evaluate your ability to demonstrate this competency during the field evaluation.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate and enhance the intervention/treatment plan of a short-term inpatient mental health and substance abuse facility through research-informed practice. The goal is to align agency practices with evidence-based interventions, thereby improving client outcomes and treatment efficacy. The process involves describing the current treatment framework, reviewing current research for best practices, and proposing realistic integrations within the agency’s existing protocols.

The agency's current intervention/treatment plan is centered on a comprehensive assessment of each client's strengths and deficits, which inform individualized goals and specific interventions. As a short-term inpatient setting, the agency emphasizes rapid stabilization, risk management, and engagement in therapeutic activities that promote recovery. The treatment plan includes initial assessments, individualized treatment goals, psychoeducational interventions, medication management when appropriate, and discharge planning that ensures continuity of care. The plan is designed to foster recovery through a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and counselors. This framework aligns with the model of brief, goal-oriented intervention aimed at stabilization and relapse prevention.

Research literature emphasizes several best practices that could enhance this treatment approach. A prominent recommendation focuses on incorporating trauma-informed care, which addresses underlying trauma histories that often contribute to mental health and substance use issues (Fallot & Harris, 2009). Trauma-informed practices emphasize safety, choice, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity. Studies have shown that integrating trauma-informed principles can reduce barriers to engagement and improve treatment retention (Sweeney et al., 2016). Additionally, the use of integrated dual diagnosis treatment models has been supported in the literature, especially effective in substance abuse treatment combined with mental health disorders (Drake et al., 2020). These models promote concurrent treatment of co-occurring conditions, which enhances overall recovery outcomes.

Another evidence-based practice involves employing Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client-centered counseling style that improves engagement and motivation for change (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Implementing MI techniques within the treatment plan can facilitate client buy-in, enhance motivation, and foster behavioral change. The literature also advocates for incorporating some elements of the Recovery Model, emphasizing hope, empowerment, and client’s active participation in treatment planning (Onken et al., 2014). Recovery-oriented practices promote resilience and self-efficacy, which are linked to better long-term outcomes.

In terms of integrating these best practices, the agency can revise its treatment plan by including trauma-informed screening and interventions as an initial step in treatment. Staff training on trauma-informed approaches would be essential for effective implementation. The agency could also adopt dual diagnosis protocols, ensuring that clients with co-occurring disorders receive integrated, concurrent treatment rather than sequential or fragmented care. This could involve collaborative care planning and staff cross-training in mental health and substance use treatment modalities. Incorporating Motivational Interviewing techniques into individual and group sessions would require staff development but offers immediate benefits in engagement and motivation. Finally, embedding principles of the Recovery Model into discharge planning and ongoing support services can empower clients to take ownership of their recovery journey.

The similarities between the current agency treatment plan and the evidence-based practices involve shared goals such as stabilization, client engagement, and individualized care. The primary difference is that the current plan may lack specific focus on trauma-informed care, dual diagnosis integration, and recovery orientation, which are well supported in research. The literature suggests a more holistic and client-centered approach that addresses underlying trauma, concomitant disorders, and personal strengths. The agency’s plan primarily emphasizes symptom management and risk reduction, whereas the research advocates for a broader, recovery-oriented perspective that fosters resilience and self-efficacy. If a formal process for regular review and incorporation of emerging evidence is absent, the agency should develop a structured protocol for ongoing staff training, case review, and treatment plan revisions based on current research findings.

In conclusion, aligning the agency’s intervention strategies with evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed care, dual diagnosis treatment, Motivational Interviewing, and recovery models can significantly enhance client outcomes. Implementing these practices within the existing framework requires staff training, protocol adjustments, and ongoing evaluation. This evidence-informed approach ensures that treatment plans are not only individualized but also grounded in scientific research, embodying the principles of Competency 4 of the Council on Social Work Education. Such integration promotes effective, culturally sensitive, and ethically sound intervention strategies that support recovery in short-term inpatient settings.

References

• Drake, R. E., Lanctôt, N., Mueser, K. T., & McHugo, G. J. (2020). Integrating treatment for co-occurring disorders: The collaborative care model. In Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 43(3), 264-272.
• Fallot, R. D., & Harris, M. (2009). Creating a trauma-informed system: Practical steps. In Trauma Practice, 2(3), 27-38.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Onken, S. J., Craig, C. M., Ridgway, P., et al. (2014). An relationship framework for recovery-oriented care. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 37(1), 11-19.
• Sweeney, A., Clement, S., Filson, B., & Kennedy, A. (2016). Trauma-informed mental health and substance use services: A systematic review. Psychiatry Services, 67(11), 1114-1120.