Mental Health Process
 

Incoming referrals: Referrals will be accepted by phone, letter or mail, an attempt will be made to contact the individual within 3-5 days from receiving the referral. If there is availability the client will be provided with an admission date as soon as possible. Otherwise, the individual will be placed on a waiting list and/or will be referred to other agencies. Individuals will be prioritized according to the highest level of need.

During the intake process the therapist will evaluate the client for appropriateness of level of care required to meet the individuals needs on an out patient basis. This process shall be based on the following:

Intake Process

1. An intake will be completed prior to the development of the Comprehensive Plan which shall include the following:
   1. The client psychosocial history consisting of:
      1. Medical history which includes the client's personal medical history, the client's current symptoms and prior illnesses, family medical history, and tuberculosis screening by the Department of Health will be offered.
      2. Drug and alcohol history, which includes the substances and quantities used, the pattern, length and progression of use, prior drug and alcohol treatment, the client's perception of the impact of use, and family drug and alcohol history.
      3. Personal history, which includes the family of origin and current relationships with family members and significant others, abuse, legal, employment, education, military, sexual and recreation histories.
      4. Mental health history, which includes a current and past assessment of suicidal and homicidal risk, a mental status assessment, and prior mental health treatment history.

2. A client psychosocial evaluation shall be completed at or before the conclusion of the intake process and shall include the following:
   1. An evaluation of how the client's psychosocial history, beliefs, and behaviors have contributed to the client's current problems.
   2. The client's attitudes, motivation, denial systems, beliefs and coping mechanisms and how they may impact treatment.
   3. Positive and negative factors identified through the psychosocial history that will effect treatment.
   4. Client strengths and weaknesses as identified by the counselor and the client.
   5. Counselor's impressions including a description of the client's appearance, behavior, and mental state during the intake process and the implication for treatment.
   6. Client needs and behaviors that are to be addressed in treatment and the recommended strategies to deal with these issues.

1. A Treatment plan shall be developed for each client receiving Mental Health outpatient treatment within four attendance days of the client's admission. The Treatment Plan shall be based on issues identified in the psychosocial evaluation and the client's treatment needs.
2. The Treatment shall be developed by the counselor with input from the client.
3. The counselor and client shall sign and date the Treatment.

1. Individualized treatment goals and measurable objectives.
2. Services that meet the client's needs.
3. Type and frequency of services.
4. Referrals for outside services and the frequency of those services.

Notification of termination.

1. The center shall notify the client, in writing, of a decision to involuntarily terminate the client's treatment. The notice shall include the specific reason(s) for the termination.
2. The center may immediately discharge a client who poses a threat to others and when the client's needs can no longer be safely met by the services provided by the center.
3. If client no-shows three times or a combination of 5 no-shows and cancellations.
4. The client shall have an opportunity to request reconsideration of any decision to involuntarily terminate treatment.

Spaw Counseling Services will conduct follow-up services on the following intervals of 3, 6, and 12 months. Follow-up documentation will be completed on the continuing care follow-up form.