Table 1 Session Objectives and Suggested Outline of the Brief Intervention Sessions
Session | Session Objectives | Session Outline |
|---|---|---|
1 | • Focus on developing rapport and a positive therapeutic relationship • Explore factors that led to the crisis • Begin to develop a Care Plan • Conduct a risk assessment • Provide psycho-education • Connect with carers | 1. Build rapport and focus on developing a positive therapeutic relationship (throughout the sessions) 2. Set the frame for treatment (i.e. discuss the duration of the current and future sessions including the four session intention) 3. Provide information on the purpose of the clinic 4. Understand what led to the client’s crisis and provide a space for them to talk 5. Begin to develop a Care Plan, focusing on the ‘My crisis survival strategies’ section 6. Conduct a risk assessment 7. Provide client with psycho-education 8. Connect with the carers 9. Discuss need, and ascertain willingness, for further appointments 10. Encourage the client to think more about their values and goals |
2 | • Further engage the client • Understand the client’s goals and values • Further develop the Care Plan • Provide further psycho-education and support | 1. Engage the client further 2. Discuss further the client’s goals and values 3. Develop the Care Plan further, focusing on ‘My main therapeutic goals and problems I am working on’ section 4. Provide an opportunity for the client to discuss any other issues 5. Provide psycho-education about the development and maintenance of specific problems 6. Conduct a risk assessment 7. Encourage the client to think about their plans after the clinic sessions are complete in between appointments and flag this to discuss further in Session Four 8. Provide psycho-education on the benefits of longer-term treatment for people with more enduring problems |
3 | • Focus on connection, assessment of needs and education • Allow the carer space to voice their concerns and needs • Assess the current needs of the carer and draft a Carer Plan with the carer for their needs • Provide information and education regarding mental illness, personality disorders, self-care and navigating the mental health system • Provide further referrals to more intensive family and carer interventions or other services | 1. Set the frame of the session including the aims, purpose and confidentiality issues 2. Build rapport and focus on the needs of the carer 3. Assess the carers current needs and responses to the client’s recent crises and provide a space for them to talk 4. Develop a Carer Plan with the carer for their own self-care (see: Carer Plan) 5. Provide information and education regarding mental illness, personality disorders, self-care and navigation of the mental health system including who to call upon in a crisis 6. Discuss need, and ascertain willingness, for referral to family and carer services. |
4 | • Discuss the client’s plans for the future • Provide information on treatment options • Finalise the Care Plan and discuss relapse prevention • Provide referral to other services | 1. Discuss further the client’s future plans 2. Consider and discuss treatment options 3. Finalise the Care Plan, focusing on ‘My support people’ section, and relapse prevention strategies 4. Link the client with other services, and provide referral where necessary |