Intervention Strategies for Behavioral Health Disorders

Individual Psychotherapy focusing on cognitive behavioral techniques
Family therapy to improve communication and to serve as a source of support
Group therapy with peers to develop social and interpersonal skills
Take prescribed medications consistently and monitor for side effects, if applicable
Develop increased anxiety management skills and self-confidence
Develop effective problem-solving skills
Assess routinely for suicidality

Participate in a medical evaluation to rule out any medical conditions that may be causing or contributing to anxiety
Transmissible infectious diseases and other bio-medical history (provide targeted risk-reduction counseling as indicated)
Co-occurring mental health or behavioral problems (ensure concurrent AOD and mental health treatment, as indicated)
Potential for withdrawal symptom severity and the need for medications
Motivation for change (using the Prochaska Stages Of Change model)
Protective factors and risk factors in the recovery environment
Potential for relapse

Participate in a medical evaluation to rule out any medical conditions that may be causing or contributing to anxiety
Participate in a psychiatric evaluation and take all medications as prescribed
Develop and practice positive coping skills to manage stress and anxiety (Such as adequate rest, proper nutrition, physical exercise, and recreational activities/hobbies)
Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and guided imagery
Learn to recognize the difference between emotional and physical reactions to anxiety
Participate in systematic desensitization of feared stimuli while practicing relaxation strategies
Identify a social support team and increase participation in social activities
Identify negative self-talk and replace with positive statements
Involve family members in psycho-education about anxiety to increase
Understanding and support
Recognize, verbalize and address unresolved emotional issues

Educate parents on ADHD management
Increase parent/child symptom awareness
Parental tracking of assignments, chores, and home responsibilities
Rule out comorbid disorders
Assess for possible presence of parental psychopathology interfering with treatment
Take prescribed medications consistently and monitor for side effects
Develop and utilize effective study skills
Delay instant gratification in pursuit of long-term goals
Develop increased anxiety management skills and self-confidence
Develop effective problem-solving skills
Increase verbalization of acceptance of responsibility for behaviors
Identify stressors and emotions that trigger hyperactivity and impulsivity
Identify constructive outlets for energy

Conduct client education and family education as appropriate
Increase recognition of symptoms and signs of episodes
Confirm diagnosis of co-morbid conditions and treat accordingly
Monitor medication compliance and side effects
Regulate daily routines for sleep, activity, and relaxation
Increase awareness of interactions between medications and various foods, over-the-counter medications, as well as alcohol and caffeine
Identify stressors that trigger manic or depressive moods/episodes
Develop effective stress management skills
Identify positive coping skills for managing emotions
Increase awareness of signs of relapse
Develop personal support system and a plan for emergencies with support persons
Stress the need for continued medication compliance after stabilization

Develop and practice healthy stress management and coping skills
Develop and practice healthy problem-solving and communication skills (including how to effectively negotiate and compromise)
Develop and practice healthy ways to monitor and control impulses
Identify the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions
Identify and replace cognitive distortions and negative self-talk (avoid all-or-nothing, black-or-white, and catastrophic patterns of thinking)
Develop and practice a routine of physical exercise, activity, and social involvement
Identify, verbalize, and address any unresolved grief or loss issues
Acknowledge the presence of any self-harm thoughts or suicidal thoughts and develop a personal safety plan to avoid acting on them (suicide is among the three leading causes of death for people ages 15-44)
Participate in a psychiatric evaluation and take all prescribed medications as instructed
Rule out other psychiatric disorders (e.g., grief reaction, personality disorders, Dysthymia)
Rule out medical disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism)
Rule out depression-inducing medications (e.g., steroids)
Rule out Substance Use Disorder

Participate in a psychiatric evaluation and take all medications as prescribed
Use a thought stopping strategy to interrupt cognitive obsessions
Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing
Consider learning and practicing the Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) technique by confronting feared situations and objects (exposure) and resist performing compulsive rituals (response prevention)
Recognize, discuss, and refute dysfunctional beliefs (e.g., magical or catastrophic thinking patterns)
Develop and practice a daily ritual to interfere with the current compulsive pattern
Identify, verbalize, and address unresolved life issues
Provide psycho-education for family members and encourage their support for the patient during treatment
Develop and practice positive self-talk

Conduct client education about PTSD
Confirm proper diagnosis and presence of additional diagnosis (e.g., Depression, Anxiety)
Increase awareness of symptoms
Identify events that trigger stress
Decrease guilt, shame, or anger
Confirm compliance with medications and monitor for side effects
Develop effective relaxation skills
Increase coping skills to manage anxiety
Develop or increase anger management skills
Increase social/communication skills
Conduct education on relapse prevention and warning signs
Consider appropriate medication for repetitive nightmares, flashbacks, and mood lability

Adjustment Disorder