In a comfortable setting, provide thorough understanding and compassionate guidance about treatment options for the presenting problems
The components:
Meeting with parents/patient to obtain a thorough history and to review intake forms as well as other information provided by outside resources (school, pediatrician, other professionals)
The goals:
To understand this patient’s presenting problems within a psychological, social, developmental and biologic context
To educate the family/patient about the problems
To develop diagnoses and discuss treatment goals that are best suited to the needs/preferences of this family/patient
To collaboratively develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan that may include therapy, dietary/exercise/sleep recommendations, parent guidance, medication management, behavior modification, school involvement, further testing, and/or referral for medical work-up
Follow-Up: What to Expect
The approach:
To be readily available
The components:
Meet/discuss progress and concerns and tailor the treatment plan as needed
The goals:
To continually review how effective the current treatment plan is and revise as needed to further progress toward goals
To provide follow-up contact that is individually tailored to the family’s/patient’s needs. Some patients require close and regular follow-up whereas others may require less frequent contact.
Evaluation: What to Expect