What You Can Expect During Treatment

You and your clinician are partners. You can anticipate that your clinician will encourage you to take an active role in identifying goals as well as the concerns to be covered in treatment. You and your clinician work as a team and your input is essential. Tell your clinician what is working or not working for you. Your clinician will assist you in identifying and maximizing your strengths, capabilities and independence.

Be sure to say something to your clinician if there is a concern. If something is uncomfortable, awkward or not what you expected while receiving services it is best to share this with your clinician before it affects your progress. If you do not feel comfortable talking with your clinician you may ask to speak to the clinician’s supervisor.

You are encouraged to be open and honest about your feelings. Although sometimes difficult, the more open you are the more effective treatment will be. You will not be forced to talk about anything you don’t feel ready to talk about. When you do choose to discuss something that is difficult, your clinician will listen and respond without judgment.

Your clinician will not tell you what to do. You are the expert in your life. Your life decisions will be respected. Your clinician is a coach who will provide assistance clarifying thoughts, feelings and values as well as help you generate alternative ways of coping and managing symptoms.

Applying what you learn will maximize the benefits of treatment. Although it can feel uncomfortable, applying new skills and different ways of coping in your daily life will give you the best results in your recovery. Keep in mind change does not happen overnight.

Missed appointments may impede your recovery. There is a direct relationship between your progress and attendance of scheduled appointments. A pattern of missed appointments may be an indication that you are not ready or able to engage in treatment at this time. Services may be discontinued with an invitation to resume at a later date.

Treatment is not a lifelong commitment. Treatment consists of episodes of care that address immediate issues currently interfering with your quality of life. Once you have met your treatment objectives and completed services you will have the option to return at a future date if needed.

Things may seem to get worse before getting better. You may experience a lot of difficult feelings during treatment. It is not unusual to experience uncomfortable emotions and assume that treatment is not helping. This is a normal part of the process and it is important to share these feelings with your clinician.

It is normal to have setbacks. If you are in crisis, bringing it up at the beginning of the session will assist your clinician in better helping you. Life can sometimes throw a curveball that can result in a shift in focus. If the focus of your treatment objectives needs to change, you and your clinician can update your care plan.

Growth is an exciting process. There will be good feelings of being in control, moving forward, and making healthy decisions that impact yourself, your family and your relationships. The recovery process is a lifelong one and your progress will continue even after you are no longer in treatment.