Summary

There are many types of psychiatric-mental health treatment settings, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Treatment can happen in the community, in outpatient as well as in inpatient facilities. Clinicians and clients should work together to choose the least restrictive environment that meets the client’s needs.

Building a rapport with clients is important in all types of treatment settings. Gaining the client’s trust will improve treatment outcomes and provide them with the necessary support to live as independently as possible. Telehealth and teletherapy have become more viable treatment options since COVID-19. Their use extends to rural areas and to homebound clients who might otherwise not have access to mental health services.

There is a wide range of residential care services available to support people with psychiatric-mental illness. These facilities offer 24/7 care by trained health-care workers in a homelike environment. There is no one treatment that is best for all clients. The social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the clients should be considered in choosing a site.

Each of the seven factors of group dynamics works together to determine how successful the group will be in reaching its determined outcomes. Possible leadership styles include authoritative leadership, delegative leadership, participative leadership, servant leadership, transactional leadership, and transformational leadership. Transformational leadership is the most effective current leadership style because of the way it supports its members and encourages group cohesiveness, thus establishing norms among group members. Many different types of groups are available, and it is up to the clinician to suggest to the client which group type might be most appropriate to fit their needs.

Therapeutic communities take a socially interactive approach to client treatment for mental health challenges and can include all types of programs, ranging from inpatient to outpatient, short- to longer-term. Milieu therapy provides a safe, structured setting in which people learn to apply healthier ways of thinking and interacting to their lives. Through the relationships and interactions developed in therapeutic communities, clients begin to enjoy a sense of hope, create a sense of belonging, and learn to develop skills to apply to their lives outside of treatment.

An interdisciplinary treatment team works together toward the individualized goals of each client. The role of the nurse within the team includes administering medication, facilitating therapeutic groups, thinking critically to provide a safe environment, and documenting what transpired for each client during a specific time period. Nurses also advocate for their clients to make sure they are getting the treatment they deserve.

Family systems are intended to enhance the growth of each family member and the family unit as a whole. The Bowen family systems theory is the basis of much family therapy that is performed today. The level of attachment that a child has to their parents will shape their future reactions to stress as they become adults. Family therapy allows the family unit to work together on issues within their family structure. The therapist helps all members of the family heal and learn to communicate more effectively.