Using the document provided below, develop a treatment plan.

Treatment Plan Tab

Enter the following information for a treatment plan you have developed to guide your work with your family, based on the biopsychosocial assessment and other completed case conceptualizations:

• Clinical Model.
• Identifying Information.
• Presenting Problem.
• Other Assessments.
  • These are assessments used to develop a case conceptualization of the family system.
• Long-Term Goals.
  • What goals have you developed? How will these be assessed and how will they align with the client's presenting problem?
• Short-Term Goals.
  • What goals have you developed? How will these be assessed and how will they align with the client's presenting problem?
• Treatment Plan Interventions.
• Consultation With Other Professionals.
  • These are consultations you may have had with other professionals regarding this case or that you may need to have in the future. These professionals may include school personnel, case managers, and other clinicians, including psychiatrists or psychologists.
• Legal, Ethical, and Other Considerations.

For this assignment, complete a treatment plan for your family based on the assessment results, include the following:

• Describe the theoretical model you used to guide work with a client family.
• Identify sociocultural factors and diversity issues that inform the development of a treatment plan for the family in therapy.
• Discuss the presenting problem for the client family.
• Describe the process to complete a case conceptualization and rationale.
• Identify legal and ethical considerations that impact the family in therapy.

Abstract

In this paper, a marriage and family therapist who is working with a family case provides a crisis management plan. It focuses on Millia Omnes, who is going through a suicidal crisis, and analyzes how the therapist can handle issues effectively. The paper includes an evaluation of Millia's personality and family dynamics, highlighting risk factors and tools for safety planning and intervention. It covers how the therapist may get to know Millia, uphold their professional boundaries, and use empathy to make Millia feel comfortable expressing her feelings. The paper also discusses therapists' legal responsibilities to disclose suicidal ideas and gives details on state and national crisis standards.

Case Scenario

Millia Omnes, a23-year-old,lives with her fianc, Tyler Seher, and their dog, Zeus. Tyler, a 27-year-old Staff Weather Officer in the United States Air Force, spends most of his time providing tactical meteorological support with the Army unit. Millia, on the other hand, is a psychometrist who has been experiencing manic-depressive episodes for the past four to five years. As a result, she feels cut off from her friends, her career, and her family. Recently, Millia's episodes have lasted longer and resulted in more serious outcomes. Sometimes Millia would stay in bed for days because she would not take her anti-depressants given that they make her feel sadder than she can manage. Tyler experiences uncertainty and powerlessness during Millia's episodes as a result of her resistance to taking her medicine. In addition, Millia has not seen a therapist since she was a teenager and has suddenly developed suicidal thoughts.

Rapport in Crisis

From my perspective as the practicing marriage and family therapist forthe Omnes case, it is clear that Millia is presently going through a crisis. Millia has admitted to me that she has recently thought about suicide and reported that she feels sadder than ever. Thus, building a rapport with the client is crucial in the therapeutic process.

The greatest technique to establish rapport with a client in a crisis is to use what the client is conveying to demonstrate that the therapistcomprehends how the client is feeling. Additionally, the client deserves to have their feelings acknowledged (Flemons & Gralnik, 2013).Although a rapport should follow the same way even when a client is not experiencing a crisis,it differs since the client is more inclined to withdraw, which prevents the therapist from collecting the information required for their protection and safety (Love et al., 2019). When in crisis, the client could perceive the therapist's questions as criticismrather than an interaction. Furthermore, the best strategy for the client to feel comfortable sharing their ideas or feelings with the therapist is to develop an empathic relationship (Alpaslan & Mitroff 2021). The therapist's goal is to obtain information on the client's suicidal thoughts by asking questionsand listening carefully to what they say. To learn more about the client's suicidality, paying attention, listening, and using compassionate words and inquiries are important.

Steps to Take in a Crisis State

There are a few measures that should be consideredwhile dealing with a client that is in a crisis. The first step is to analyze risk and resources, both intrapersonal and interpersonal (Ellis, 2022). With this step, the therapist will want to analyze the risk factors and acquire correct information about the crisis before moving on to the next step. The next step involves identifying the client's potential safety risk level utilizing the information collected (Love et al., 2019). Furthermore, the most effective strategy of action to ensure the client or others around her remain safe will be based on the presence of suicidal ideation. This could refer to a safety agreement, hospitalization, or an emergency procedure with an individual they feel safe with(Flemons & Gralnik, 2013). The following step would involve continuing to work together with the client to develop a plan of action or, if feasible, a thorough safety plan that is implemented (Ellis, 2022).Collaborating with the client allows themto feel comfortable and included in the process instead of feeling coerced, which can increase therisk of suicidal thoughts.

Safety Plans or Next-Step Interventions

In order to conduct risk assessments on Millia, the therapistgathered information about her interpersonal relationships, mental illness, lack of social interactions, and spirituality. Since Millia's episodes have become more severe and Tyler's working hours have increased, their relationship has been tumultuous. As a result, Millia feels abandoned andlonely at this difficult time. She has canceled numerous social outingswith friends and familydue to her depression, leading to fewer social gatherings invitations.Because of her despair and increased time alone, Millia is beginning to think that the universe would be more peaceful if she did not exist.

It has become necessary to develop an intervention planfor Millia and her family in case of future crises after listening toher speak and explain her concerns about suicide. The interventions included in the therapeutic plan include boosting social resources, enhancing attention to the recommended medical regimen, restructuring the mind, and including assignments for Millia to do outside of therapy (Alpaslan & Mitroff, 2021). These treatments can be implemented by asking Milliato compile a list of the reasons she has for existing, plan activities, get in touch with her community, follow a regular medication schedule, and complete her assignments in regard toher improvement in therapy (Lal & Jonathan, 2021).A safety planwill alsobe implemented to assist Tyler and Milliaas needed. The safety plan was developed in collaboration with the client and the therapist. It is a documented set of coping mechanisms that are hierarchically organized (Love et al., 2019). The plan should include coping mechanisms, contact information for various support networks, andan overview of the warning indicators linked with Millia's suicide crises.Moreover, all household members will be able to access and follow the plan quickly.

Ethical and State Legal Implications

There are ethical obligations a marriage and family therapistmust uphold even when the decision to end one's life is their own. There is an ethical code for marriage and family therapy that compels therapists to uphold the law. The AAMFT (2023)states that therapists have a duty to act in the best interests of their clients, which would include working with suicidal clients to maintain outpatient therapy sessions or to be hospitalized voluntarily or involuntarily. When clients obtained informed consent upon intake, the responsibility to act in their best interests would have been taken care of.

Another crucial ethical issue in these circumstances is confidentiality. While therapistsmust maintain strict confidentiality, there are times when they may need to break those restrictions to save the client's or others' lives (AAMFT, 2023). However, this choice should be made thoroughly, considering the client's autonomy and ensuring that the information and individuals involved who only need to know. As mandated reporters, therapistsin Tennessee are required to alert authorities about any potential risk to the client or others. If a therapisthas cause to suspect that a client poses a substantial danger of harm to themselves or others, they are required by Tennessee law to alert the relevant authorities (Greer, 2013). Legal repercussions for therapistscould result from failure to submit such information.

To ensure safety for all, action must be taken as soon as a client expresses a desire to hurt themselves or someone else. In these circumstances, therapistsmust act responsibly to avoid harm and to offer the necessary care and assistance. Additionally, they must be mindful of the ethical and legal ramifications.

State and National Standards in Crisis

When working with clients in crisis, best practices for the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) discipline include a combination of ethical principles, evidence-based therapies, and professional competence (Hinton-Mitchem, 2012). Assessment and safety planning, ethical and legal responsibilities, a collaborative and client-centered approach, crisis intervention training, multicultural competence, continuity of care, and self-care are best practices aligned with Tennessee and national standards for the MFT discipline that apply to working with clients in crisis (Probst, 2015). A therapist should also thoroughly analyze the client's crisis scenario bytaking into account the danger involved and any safety issues. Together, the therapist and the client should develop a safety plan to address immediate dangers and implement effective crisis intervention techniques. The therapist is always required to abide by Tennessee law and the ethical standards set out by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). They should uphold confidentiality while also acknowledging their responsibility to defend the client and others against harm.

Reflection

I firmly feel that the challenges I faced growing up helped me treat Milliawith excellent therapeuticcare because I could demonstrateempathy when she desperately needed it.I am optimistic that Milliaand her family will gain confidence in their abilities to manage a crisis if one arises because of the implemented therapy and safety plan. Milliaand herfamily will acquire the coping mechanisms required to maintain her mental health and their family with additional therapy and further treatment. The best course of action in this situation for the client is to treat the matter sensitively and without passing judgment. Overall, being a listening ear and providing the client with the resources they require to live on is significant.

Conclusion

In the marriage and family therapy framework, the case scenario emphasizes the value of crisis management. It highlights the need for therapists to build a strong relationship with clients going through a crisis, especially when suicidal tendencies present. The risk analysis performed in Millia's case identifies crucial elements causing the crisis, such as interpersonal relationships, mental illness, socialactivities, and spirituality. Interventions targeted at boosting optimism, enhancing social resources, improving medication adherence, and reorganizing cognitive patterns are all part of the crisis management strategy. A safety plan is also established to ensure the safety of the client and their family members. Moreover, the caseemphasizes the value of proactive action, collaboration, and support in addressing crises in a marriage andfamily therapy context.