Clinical Basis to Mental Health

The approach combines this relational theory with present state - focusing strongly on self-awareness and the 'here and now' (what is happening from one moment to the next). Self-awareness is key to personal growth and developing full potential. The approach recognizes that sometimes this self-awareness can become blocked by negative thought patterns and behavior that can leave people feeling dissatisfied and unhappy.

It is the aim is to promote a non-judgmental self-awareness that enables clients to develop a unique perspective on life. By helping an individual to become more aware of how they think, feel and act in the present moment, gestalt therapy provides insight into ways in which he or she can alleviate their current issues and distress in order to aspire to their maximum potential.

Person-centred awareness - Focusing on the future, and imagining it divorced from the present and past is considered essential. The process follows an individual's experience in a way that does not involve seeking out the unconscious, but staying with what is present and aware.

Respect - Clients, whether an individual, group or family, are treated with profound respect by a gestalt therapist. Providing a balance of support and challenge is key to helping those taking part to feel comfortable about opening up and acknowledging areas of resistance.

Emphasis on experience - The gestalt approach focuses on experience in terms of an individual's emotions, perceptions, behaviours, body sensations, ideas and memories. A therapist encourages the client to 'experience' in all of these ways, vividly in the here and now.

Creative experiment and discovery - There is a range of experimental methodology used by therapists to test their client's experience. These involve highly creative and flexible techniques to help them open up and acknowledge hidden feelings.

Social responsibility - The gestalt approach recognises that humans have a social responsibility for self and for others. It demands respect for all people and acknowledges that everyone is different. Ultimately it encourages individuals to adopt an egalitarian approach to social life.

The assumption that “the counselor knows best” 

The validity of advice, suggestion, persuasion, teaching, diagnosis, and interpretation 

The belief that clients cannot understand and resolve their own problems without direct help 

The focus on problems over persons 

Therapy as a journey shared by two fallible people 

Person’s innate striving for self-actualization 

Personal characteristics of therapist & the quality of therapeutic relationship 

Counselor’s creation of a permissive, “growth promoting” climate 

Aka Client-Centered Therapy

The therapist is congruent with the client.

The therapist provides the client with unconditional positive regard.

Small steps can lead to big changes. 

The future is both created and negotiable. 

A solution is not necessarily related to theproblem. 

Solution language is different from problem language. 

Change is inevitable, problems do not happen all the time. 

Look for exceptions. 

Look for previous solutions, strengths, resources and abilities. 

Questions as primary vs. directives or interpretations. 

Present and future orientation. 

Compliments. 

AFFECT (Mood or Disposition) 

PLACID - PEACEFUL, RESTFUL, TRANQUIL 

PREOCCUPIED - ABSORBED, ENGROSSED, LOST IN THOUGHT 

PERSONABLE - FRIENDLY

PLEASANT - AFFABLE, AGREEABLE, AMIABLE 

PASSIVE - INACTIVE, INERT, UNRESISTANT 

ENTHUSIASTIC - ENTHUSED, ARDENT, ZEALOUS 

TEARFUL - WEEPY, TEARY 

DEPRESSED - DEJECTED, DISPIRITED, DISHEARTENEDCONTROLLED - DETERMINED, REGIMENTED, DISCIPLINED 

FLAT-SHALLOW, DULL, SPIRITLESS 

BLUNTED - CURT, ABRUPT, BRUSQUE 

DETACHED - INDIFFERENT, IMPERSONAL 

EUPHORIC - BOUYANT 

ELATED - JOYFUL 

JOVIAL - MARRY 

LIGHTHEARTED - CAREFREE 

CHEERFUL - HEARTY 

OPTIMISTIC - SMILING 

PLACID - QUIET 

SOBER - SEDATE 

SERIOUS - EARNEST 

SOLEMN - GRIM 

GRAVE - SOMBER

BROODY - MEDITATIVE 

DEJECTED - DISHEARTENED 

DESPONDENT - DISMAL 

HOPELESS - DESPERATE

APPROPRIATE - PROPER, CORRECT, LEGITIMATE 

Record a service for every billing activity 

Provide a clear, ongoing record of the client’s condition, the interventions attempted, theclient’s response to the care provided, and the progress the client is making toward realizing his/her goals and objectives 

Facilitate the coordination of care and communication between team members 

Show evidence of collaboration with community resources including primary care 

Be legible and signed/dated appropriately by clinical staff

Include the license, title, or degree of service provider 

Demonstrate ongoing medical necessity for each billable service 

Show that the amount of time billed is appropriate for the service provided 

Show that content within the note corresponds with the respective billing activity that is being claimed. 

Be unique and non-repetitive in each section (i.e. Behavior, Intervention, Response, and Plan) from the note before it 

Accurately document the use of a specific therapeutic modality whenever such interventions are utilized (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Depression Treatment Quality Improvement, Moral Reconation, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, etc.)