So, what is a treatment plan? Typically, you’ll identify the presenting problem(s), set your goals for therapy, how we will go about achieving the goals, and estimate the time it will take to reach the goals. The type-A part of me is a huge fan of having a “plan.” There also is A LOT of satisfaction that comes with crossing something off your list and meeting the “criteria” that the goal is met. If we ever work together, part of EVERY treatment plan will incorporate the following: exercise, diet, sleep, nature, and art. Call me crunchy but hear me out - when I was in grad school, I did a study abroad in Greece to study the origins of humanistic psychology. Not only was Greece beautiful, the people, culture, and approach to well-being were as well.
Today, health and educational approaches that encourage diet and physical exercise can clearly be traced back to the ancient Greeks and their holistic perception of health that focused on an individual’s physical and social environment as well as human behavior to educate and promote overall health. They defined health as the equilibrium between one’s internal and external environments and empowered people through health education, skill development, supportive environments, and reoriented medicine towards naturalistic and humanistic perspectives. Health was found to be the equilibrium achieved by practicing self-control, moderation, and calmness. The use of diet, exercise, and the arts (music, dance, theater) were used to work towards the goal of restoring one’s health.
This ancient medicine shares close ties with ethics which are of utmost importance to be held by practitioners today. The ethics include four key principles – autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice. Autonomy and justice were the principles of ancient Greek medicine. In healthcare, autonomy involves respect for clients’ rights to make decisions for themselves and their care. Beneficence and nonmaleficence mean that health professionals are to “do good” and “do no harm.”
Long story short, I’m happy to formulate a treatment plan with you in which YOU identify what you want to improve, are willing to explore, and are open to discussing. I will also give my input and will challenge you in a way that is empowering and encouraging. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feelings.
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