aSSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS & AND TREATMENT PLANNING
Assessment and Diagnosis:
A thorough diagnostic evaluation is key for planning out an effective treatment strategy. I have found that if diagnostic clarity has not been achieved, this can result in needless services or ineffective treatment.
If you believe that you have not received a proper diagnosis, or if in the course of our first few sessions together we jointly decide that your diagnosis needs further clarification, we may agree to complete a comprehensive assessment together. There may times, where depending on your needs and presenting concerns, I may send you to another clinician for psychological testing. In this case, I have relationships with providers across the country who are set up to do such testing and will happily coordinate a referral. The most important thing to me is making sure you are seen, heard, and deeply understood throughout this process.
Treatment Placement:
At times, individuals find themselves overwhelmed by their symptoms to the extent that progress in outpatient therapy becomes challenging, warranting consideration of inpatient eating disorder treatment. The decision to transition to a higher level of care is never easy, requiring careful deliberation from both the individual and their support network. For parents, this decision can be particularly agonizing, as concerns arise regarding separation from their loved one and uncertainties about the therapeutic environment and effectiveness of treatment at a center.
Working with a clinician who possesses not only an understanding of the admission criteria for higher levels of care but also maintains relationships with reputable treatment centers becomes essential. This ensures that individuals or their family members are placed in facilities that align with their specific needs and can provide the quality care necessary for their recovery journey.
Treatment Planning:
Once we are clear on what exactly requires treatment, we can map out what your treatment will likely entail. This is a collaborative process where a number of important factors are taken into consideration, including availability of these services close to where you live, cost, efficacy, the client’s readiness or willingness to use the recommended services, and the willingness of other clinical service providers to communicate regularly about your care.
Examples may include adjunctive services with other providers in the community or coordinating your discharge from a treatment facility. No matter what the situation, having clear treatment goals, access to appropriate therapeutic resources, and close monitoring of the treatment plan is always a part of the services that I provide to all of my clients. I take a very active role in coordinating my clients’ care and speak frequently to the other providers involved in your care so that you can make the most of your treatment.
In addition, we will have frequent conversations about your treatment, regardless if it is only with me, or if you are working with a team, to evaluate your progress and satisfaction with your care. We are working on this together, so direct communication is imperative.
