Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)

INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

This is a psychological therapy in which the RCPN works hand-in-hand with the client to bring about positive change in the client's maladaptive behaviours.

Purpose

  • Identify the causes for the maladaptive behaviours of the client
  • Help client appreciate himself and find ways of dealing with life challenges

Indications

  • Providing individual psychotherapy to a client with maladaptive behaviours.
  • Identifying the causes of the client's maladaptive behaviours.
  • Helping the client appreciate himself or herself and find ways of dealing with life challenges.

Equipment

  • Pen and paper
  • Table and chair
  • Topic for the session
  • A recording device

Preparation

  • Inform the client about the therapy session, time, venue and goals.
  • Arrange the place and ensure good lighting and ventilation.
  • Arrange chairs and the table in an appropriate manner.

Procedure steps

  • Establish rapport (refer to procedure) and explain procedure to client
  • Inform client about the therapy session, time, venue and goals
  • Arrange the place and ensure good lighting and ventilation
  • Arrange chairs and table in an appropriate manner
  • Welcome client with a smile to the venue
  • Allow client to sit first while observing gestures, mannerism and posture
  • Initiate the conversation with brief introduction of what is to be expected for the session
  • Indicate to client the number of sessions and the time for each session
  • Inform client about the evaluation of each session to inform decision
  • Reassure client of confidentiality and effectiveness of the therapy
  • Set achievable goals of the therapy with client and start the session
  • Guide client to develop strategies in achieving the set goals
  • Assess client's thoughts and feelings as client expresses self
  • Identify with client his/her perceived difficulties and possible contributing factors to the challenge
  • Speak in calm, soft voice during discussions without being judgmental
  • Avoid advising client but rather inform him or her about the copping strategies available
  • Allow client to come out with coping strategies
  • Support client to implement the strategies if possible
  • Communicate areas of progress and where client needs improvement
  • Allow client to express likes and or dislikes of the session and therapist
  • Document the procedure and inform the client, date and time of the next session
  • Congratulate client for successfully completing the session and close the session

Precautions

  • Establish rapport and explain the procedure to the client.
  • Reassure the client of confidentiality and the effectiveness of the therapy.
  • Speak in a calm, soft voice during discussions without being judgemental.
  • Avoid advising the client but rather inform him or her about the coping strategies available.

Aftercare

  • Document the procedure and inform the client of the date and time of the next session.
  • Congratulate the client for successfully completing the session and close the session.

Nursing considerations

  • Set achievable goals of the therapy with the client and guide the client to develop strategies in achieving them.
  • Assess the client's thoughts and feelings as the client expresses himself or herself.
  • Allow the client to express likes or dislikes of the session and therapist.

Patient education

  • Indicate to the client the number of sessions and the time for each session.
  • Inform the client about the evaluation of each session to inform decisions.

Documentation

  • Document the procedure and inform the client of the date and time of the next session.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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