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Therapy Program & Universal Treatment Plan
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THIS SECTION OF THE WEBSITE IS INTENDED AS A RESOURCE FOR MY THERAPY CLIENTS. THIS ONLINE OVERVIEW OF MY THERAPY PROGRAM IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR QUALIFIED SUPPORT FROM A LICENSED & CREDENTIALED MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL!
PLEASE NOTE: THIS PAGE IS UNDERGOING REVISIONS, PLEASE BE PATIENT AS I WORK TO STREAMLINE THIS OVERVIEW.
Strengthening Your Conscious Self © 2022
By continuing to review the information on the following pages, you agree to, and have accepted, the terms and conditions for use of the materials, the terms of the disclaimer, insurance policies, and the information about treatment planning and homework. By continuing your use of the website, you are providing informed consent and agree to the terms and conditions contained herein, and are accessing the information knowingly.
The page you are viewing constitutes the entirety of the documents included in my client manual, client handbook, therapy program, and universal treatment plan for my clients engaged in therapy and mental health counseling with me. I have made it available here to simplify the process of orientation and intake; processes that are required by laws and statutes, also considered professional, ethical, and legal compliance with the standards of the profession.
Important! This webpage has a vast amount of information and may take you some time to go through all the information presented. I recommend and encourage you to take your time and read it carefully.
My copyright protected Therapy Program & Universal Treatment Plan and Health & Wellness Plan combines evidence-based therapy approaches, spiritual traditions, sociology, positive-psychology, biology, genetics, and neuroscience. The program includes cutting-edge solutions with time-tested strategies. I offer services that cater to your unique needs. I encourage you to explore my therapy program below. Please keep in mind, after viewing this page, you should have a basic understanding of the stages of the program, however, please feel free to explore the links provided on this page to expand your understanding and knowledge.
Therapy Program Instructions: Please review the items on this page carefully. The page is an outline of my therapy program for my clients working with me individually in mental health counseling. The outline is presented in the order of stages, that the process of therapy unfolds in. The outline also provides links to the many supplemental resources and materials available for free online.
View a table of contents of the program without graphics:
If you might be overstimulated or overwhelmed by the content on this page, I invite you to review an ADA format of my therapy program. The alternative format includes a user-friendly, neurodivergent sensitive appearance, with just lists of links to the resources, no buttons, boxes, or graphics.
View the Library (PDF): Psychotherapy Client Manual
If you might be overstimulated or overwhelmed by the way content is displayed on websites, I invite you to review a PDF version of my therapy program client manual. The alternative format offers a user-friendly, neurodivergent sensitive appearance, with just lists of links to the resources, no buttons, boxes, or graphics.
Quenza: View theComplete Library of Programs and Activities
If you would like to review it, I have compiled a comprehensive list of programs and activities offered through Quenza. I will aim to keep this library updated as new programs and activities are added, or when existing programs and activities are modified.
View an outline of the treatment plan:
If you might be overstimulated or overwhelmed by the content on this page, I invite you to review a different format of my therapy program. The treatment plan summary is how your plan would appear in your electronic health record, if you are working with me as a mental health counseling client.
Why we need a treatment plan?
Before we begin reviewing the program and standard therapy plan (treatment plan) please complete these initial tasks.
Treatment Plan Disclaimer: Review these initial disclaimers.
Insurance Company Policies: Review the insurance company policies regarding reimbursement for medically necessary services and out of network service providers.
The Reason we Collaboratively Create your Treatment Plan: Review the reasons why counselors and therapists create treatment plans collaboratively with their clients.
The Elements of a Concise Treatment Plan: Review the primary elements of a clear, concise, and complete treatment plan.
The Reason I Assign Homework: Review why more and more mental health care providers are assigning homework to their clients and patients, to complete in between sessions.
Tracking your progress: Review why tracking your progress on your own benefits you as much or more than it benefits your therapist. There are multiple methods you can use to keep track.
Thank You for Completing the Initial Tasks
The Initial Consultation
The Initial Consultation Session, getting to know each other, and determining if your needs and preferences match my approach and presence.
The Counselor’s Professional Public Disclosure: My statement regarding education, credentials, license, (NPI) provider number, work experience, training, continuing education, and approach to therapy.
The Vermont Statutes and Professional Regulations: The office of professional regulation, Vermont Legislative Statutes, and Board of Allied Mental Health Professionals: rules for mental health counselors and ways to file a complaint.
The Confidentiality Statement, your privacy guarantee, the limits of confidentiality, and ethical and legal considerations.
The Clinician’s YouTube Channel: Resources for clients in therapy or coaching: psychoeducational YouTube videos and related health & wellness content.
The Technology & Software: Learn about my ethical use of social media accounts, internet online sites, email & messaging, client engagement apps, electronic health records, telehealth videoconferencing, and artificial intelligence use for documentation.
Important Note! Once we have established a working therapeutic relationship, I strongly encourage you to use the HIPAA compliant secure messaging feature in the client account portal. Emails and texts are not HIPAA compliant, and I cannot guarantee your confidentiality and privacy if using these forms of communication.
The Intake Process & Orientation to Therapy
The Intake Session: The process of therapy and the counselor’s approach to therapy. A review of the paperwork and screening tools. Develop a working relationship, foster safety and trust.
The Intake Process & Medical Records Chart: Review the documents, forms, and questionnaires to complete during the intake process.
The Advance Beneficiary Notice (Center for Medicare Services): The Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), Form CMS-R-131, is issued by providers (including independent laboratories, home health agencies, and hospices), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers to Original Medicare (fee for service – FFS) beneficiaries in situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied. The ABN is issued in order to transfer potential financial liability to the Medicare beneficiary in certain instances.
Right to a Good Faith Estimate: The No Surprises Act guarantees your right as a client or patient to receive a good faith estimate for the cost of any services you receive, if you will be using insurance for out of network providers, or if you will not be using insurance.
A Sample of my Therapy Agreement: An open and transparent way of sharing the process and paperwork you should expect when starting therapy with this professional. The documents, forms, and signatures to complete during the intake process.
Providing Informed Consent (Mental Capacity & Medical Necessity): The requirement of mental capacity and your ability to make sound decisions for your own mental health care.
Informed Consent to Electronic Communication: the use of a secure messaging feature in the client account portal, email software, fax software, text, social media, blog, and mobile phone calls
Informed Consent to use AI Software: As a client, you will be asked to indicate whether you will allow me to use AI software to record and transcribe, or dictate and transcribe sessions, to write documentation such as progress notes, treatment plans, and session summaries.
Informed Consent to Provide Telehealth Services (Zoom Professional): As a client, you will be asked to provide your consent to allow me to conduct synchronous videoconference face to face sessions remotely over the internet, through a web browser or app. I ask clients to complete this even if we meet in person, in the event we agree to meet virtually.
My Private Practice Policies & Procedures: Review of my policies around scheduling, cancellations, rescheduling, insurance companies, billing, fees, services, and more. Review of my procedures regarding insurance claims, deductibles, copays, fees, statements, payment types, auto-pay features, and overdue balances.
Orientation to Therapy Session: the overview of the session, to provide you with a comprehensive overview of therapy, and what to expect.
Orientation to Therapy: All the materials to read and watch to provide you with my theoretical approach, and other topics.
Discussion of Stressors & Presenting Problems: Please review the document “what is a presenting problem?”
Review the Issues Addressed in Therapy: from abandonment, anxiety, anger, and autism, to schizophrenia, stress, trauma, and depression, hundreds of topics to explore.
The Assessment Sessions & Process
Patient Health Questionnaire: a screening tool used to recognize common mental health disorders such as mood, anxiety, alcohol, eating and somatoform and their severity.
Rule Out Other Medical Conditions: cooperate with a primary care provider to complete a physical examination to rule out biological or neurological processes, diseases, or damage.
Medication Psychiatric Evaluation Referral: cooperate with a prescribing doctor to complete a physical examination and mental health screening and assessment to determine the possibility of medication management.
Screening Instruments & Outcome Measures: a detailed overview of the screening and assessment process, with catalog of common assessment instruments
(ACE) Adverse Childhood Experiences Exploration: provides information about your experiences with childhood abuse, neglect, and household challenges. A CDC-Kaiser Permanente study was conducted at Kaiser Permanente from 1995 to 1997 and is one of the largest investigations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later-life health and well-being.
(LEC) Stressful Traumatic Life Events Exploration: screens for potentially traumatic events in a client’s lifetime.
(PCL-5) Screening for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: a 20-item questionnaire aligned with the DSM-5 symptom criteria for PTSD. It serves various purposes, including screening individuals for PTSD and monitoring symptom changes during treatment.
Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1): questionnaire designed to assess symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. The screener will be used in conjunction with a clinical interview to obtain additional information about the patient’s symptoms, impairments, and history.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening Questionnaire: a screening questionnaire developed by James Fitzgerald (LCMHC) , that integrates several clinical assessment tools. The questionnaire has over 100 questions, and is subject to revision. Its purpose is to provide me with traits and states to address in therapy, not determine a diagnosis.
(AUDIT) Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test: The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) helps identify individuals with hazardous or harmful patterns of alcohol consumption.
Biological, Psychological, Social, Interpersonal Assessment: a screening questionnaire developed by James Fitzgerald (LCMHC) , that integrates several clinical assessment tools. The questionnaire has over 100 questions, and is subject to revision. Its purpose is to provide me with information about your circumstances and topics to address in therapy, not determine a diagnosis.
Assess for Appropriate Level of Care (Inpatient or Rehabilitation): determine whether you should seek a higher level of support, such as inpatient hospitalization, case management, residential programs, or intensive outpatient services.
Referral to Psychologist for Intelligence Testing Assessment: determine whether you possess mental capacity (intellectual ability), required for insight, self-awareness, decision-making, and problem solving; and the ability to make decisions for you own care and treatment.
Referral to Dietician & Nutritionist for Outpatient Treatment: determine whether medical monitoring and physical health care are required in addition to nutrition counseling, in the case of more severe eating disorders or gastrointestinal/endocrine diseases.
Referral to Somnologist for Sleep Testing Assessment: determine whether sleep testing is required to rule out conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, shift work sleep disorder, or hyposomnia.
The Diagnosing Sessions & Process
IMPORTANT! Please Read: Seeking a mental health diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially given the stigma that still surrounds mental health concerns. Please be assured that I approach the diagnostic process with care, compassion, and a commitment to understanding your unique experiences. A proper diagnosis is not about labeling — it is about gaining clarity. It helps guide effective treatment, ensuring that therapy and interventions are tailored to your specific needs. The process involves a thorough clinical assessment, which may include discussions about your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, medical history, and life experiences. I use evidence-based tools and collaborate with you to ensure the diagnosis feels accurate and helpful, never labeling, limiting, or defining who you are. I understand that stigma can make it difficult to seek help, but knowing what you’re experiencing is the first step toward healing. A diagnosis empowers you with knowledge, offering a path forward with the right support, strategies, and treatment. If you have concerns about your mental health, I am here to help you — with integrity, respect, compassion, curiosity, understanding, and a dedication to your dignity and well-being.
Clinical Interviewing and Discussion: Learn what to expect when we do a diagnostic clinical interview, basically a conversation that feels natural, not like an interrogation.
Diagnostic Examinations and Discussion: Learn what to expect when we complete the formal diagnostic clinical examination, more like a structured assessment, less like an interview or conversation
Creation of an Integrative Summary: Learn how a clinician formulates the summary of the many assessments, in order to guide the treatment plan and therapy trajectory.
The Treatment Planning Sessions & Process
A treatment plan is a collaborative and structured roadmap designed to guide therapy and support your progress toward your mental health goals. This process begins with a comprehensive assessment, where we work together to identify concerns, challenges, and strengths. Based on this assessment, we can establish clear, achievable goals that align with your personal needs and aspirations. The treatment plan outlines specific interventions, therapeutic approaches, and measurable objectives to track progress. It serves as a dynamic document, regularly reviewed and adjusted to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Active client involvement is essential in this process, as it fosters empowerment, increases motivation, and ensures that therapy aligns with the client’s values and unique experiences. By working collaboratively, we can create a personalized and effective path toward healing and well-being.
Review Documents & Complete Forms: This is the stage where we will review the completed documents and assessments, and complete any of the forms tht are unfinished or incomplete.
Review Treatment Plans for Specific Problems: All the plans listed farther down on the page are optional plans to be implemented based on your unique situations if these plans apply to your circumstances.
Read: The Elements of a Clear Treatment Plan: What does a treatment plan need to include to be considered complete, clear, and concise, to meet ethical and professional standards.
Complete Assessment of Strengths, Needs, Abilities, Preferences: determine your strengths, needs, abilities, preferences, and values, to be considered when you and your therapist work together.
Read: What are Long Term Goals? Learn about the importance of determining which goals you would like to achieve so that therapy has a direction and destination
Developing and Setting Long Term SMART Goals: Learn about the importance of setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound, they have an expected end date.
Assessment of Worldview, Beliefs, Values, Meaning
Integrative Summary, Reports, Discussion
Learn about Process-Oriented Objectives
Developing and Setting Objectives & Interventions
Tracking Your Progress in Therapy
IMPORTANT! Audits from insurance companies are becoming increasingly common. This seems to coincide with the record numbers of people seeking therapy, counseling, and any other help with their mental health care. In many instances, insurance companies require treatment plans and documentation of a person’s progress in treatment – and that the services are medically necessary. Asking my client’s to be involved with planning their treatment, and tracking their own progress just makes sense. The benefit to you is that you become accountable for your own mental health, and empowered with autonomy, agency, and assertive confidence. If you are paying for my services, this gives you a way to hold me accountable to the work we do together. The progress tracker tool has been designed to be as convenient as possible, and is mostly a thorough checklist of interventions, lessons, and activities.
Tracking Your Progress in Therapy: There are a number of ways you can track your progress, including hardcopy journals, electronic journals, online journals, and my own custom built progress tracker form, that is sharable in the client account portal.
Measuring Subjective Units of Distress as Objective Measures
Complete Outcome Measures & Assessment Regularly
Discharge Process & Termination of Therapy
A summary of the Treatment Plan
View an outline of the plan:
The Objectives and Interventions
IMPORTANT! Please Read: The masterclasses, course, objectives, and interventions offered to clients are not listed in any particular order. They are all optional resources a client may decide to use and engage in. Clients do not have to do all of them and some of them may not apply to their unique problems and circumstances.
10 Mindful Minutes
The very first thing I ask my clients to do when starting therapy with me: Start today, practice doing nothing for 10 minutes every day.
Don’t try to meditate, don’t look at your phone, no eating, no talking, nothing, just be bored, in silent reflection, alone with your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.
This practice is known as open awareness meditation. It will teach you the skills to begin practicing the other mindfulness skills, and lead you toward engaging mindfully in the process of “Parts Work” and Internal Family Systems.
Relaxation Music (Evidence-Based)
The second resource I like to share with my clients is music for anxiety & stress reduction. The sounds in the music elicit relaxation responses in the brain, and has been studied by neuroscientists.
Marconi Union ~ Weightless
Use this resource for 10 minutes each day
Complete the Appropriate Psychoeducational Materials: In the next stage of therapy, I share information about common mental health challenges, and other topics. There is a compiled list of the most common topics that appears farther down the page, click Learn More to see the complete library table of contents.
DBT Skills Training: Mindfulness Module Lesson 1
DBT Skills Training: Mindfulness Module Lesson 2
DBT Skills Training: Mindfulness Module Lesson 3
[Playlist] DBT Mindfulness Skills Training Module
Dr. Jennifer May, PhD
Guided Meditations (Videos): Next, I will share the Video Library of YouTube videos from content creators, shared as supplemental resources. You are also welcome to visit my YouTube channel and see all the content I have curated. I also have shared several of the most viewed videos here on this page.
Guided Meditations (Video)
Body Scan Meditation – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness 360 – Center for Mindfulness
Guided Meditations (Video)
The Mountain Meditation – Jon Kabat-Zinn
No Nonsense Meditation
Guided Meditations (Video)
Mindfulness of the Breath – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Audio Buddha
Guided Meditations (Audio): The folder on my shared Google Drive contains audio files of meditations I have downloaded for professional use with my clients only. They are protected by copyright laws and are only for use by my clients (therapy or coaching).
Coherence Breathing
Breathing Techniques & Skills
Coherence Breathing & Heart Rate Variability
Rick Rubin & Andrew Huberman
Follow the prompts in the video and practice the technique
Radical Acceptance
Distress Tolerance Skills
[Playlist] Distress Tolerance Skills Training
Dr. Jennifer May, PhD
Values & Worldview Exploration & Discussion
An Overview of Positive Psychology: A comprehensive psychoeducational module about positive psychology, mindset, motivation, wellness, approaches to making changes, and several models of human behavior.
Behavioral Activation, Motivation, Discipline
Sleep Health
Sleep Hygiene & Routines
[Video] Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake
Andrew Huberman Podcast
[Video] Complete Sleep Toolkit
Andrew Huberman Podcast
Daily Maintenance
Affirmations & Visualization
Anxiety & Stress Reduction
Relaxation Tools, Skills & Techniques
Worry Time
Exploring Cognitive Distortions & Bias
Exploring Core Beliefs & Schema (Narrative)
Exploring the Origins of Anxiety & Trauma
A Journey Inside Your Psyche: The Guest House Meditation: a poem by Rumi, to experience IFS and Self Therapy.
How Your Central Nervous System Works
Nutritional Literacy & Mindful Eating
What Alcohol & Drugs Do To Your Body and Brain
[Video] What Alcohol Does To Your Body and Brain
Andrew Huberman Podcast
Assertiveness Skills Training
[Playlist] Emotional Regulation Skills Training
Dr. Jennifer May, PhD
Conflict Resolution Skills Training
[Playlist] Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills Training
Dr. Jennifer May, PhD
[Playlist] Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills Extras
Dr. Jennifer May, PhD
Couple’s Fair Fighting Rules
Social Skills Training
Life Skills Training
Distractions from Pain & Suffering
Addressing Automatic Thoughts with Curiosity
Addressing Emotions & Sensations with Curiosity
Your Emotional Vocabulary (Atlas of the Heart)
Progressive Levels of Exposure to Anxiety
Graded Task Assignment
Modeling Skills & Behavior (Gestalt & Role Play)
Executive Functioning (Problem Solving)
Executive Functioning (Pros and Cons)
Executive Functioning (Motivation vs Discipline)
Executive Functioning (Organization & Planning)
Executive Functioning (Time Management Skills): a library of resources you can use to learn the time management techniques that might actually work this time. Many of these are grounded in neuroscience and neuroplasticity studies.
Time Management Skills Video:
See more videos like this clip at Huberman Lab podcast.
Maximize Productivity With These Time Management Tools | Dr. Cal Newport & Dr. Andrew Huberman
Huberman Lab Clips
Psychoeducation
Neuroscience & Neuroplasticity
How Your Brain Works & Changes
Huberman Lab Podcast
One Hour Video
Learn About Autism Spectrum Disorder
Learn About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Learn About Anxiety Disorders
Masterclasses & Therapy Courses
Mindfulness Masterclass: View the course outline, learning objectives, learning materials, and homework you’ll be asked to complete.
Mindfulness Masterclass Supplemental Videos
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Mindfulness Module
Dr. Jennifer May, PhD
This playlist is only one component of the complete masterclass. This series of videos is owned and created by another content creator. These videos are offered for your convenience. They are supplemental and educational in the public domain.
Communication Skills & Social Skills Masterclass
Emotional Intelligence Masterclass
Emotional Intelligence Videos
Emotion Regulation Module Playlist
Dr. Jennifer May
Anger Management Skills Masterclass
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Masterclass
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Masterclass
Internal Family Systems Informed Therapy
An Introduction to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model and IFS Therapy Techniques (12 Videos)
From Lucas Forstmeyer, IFS Coach
Playlist listed on my YouTube channel
Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor & Polyvagal Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Interpersonal Effectiveness Module
Interpersonal Effectiveness Videos
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Interpersonal Effectiveness Module
Dr. Jennifer May, PhD
Critical Thinking Skills Masterclass
Developing a Relapse Prevention Plan & Crisis Plan
Seeking Safety Protocol Informed Therapy
Twelve Step Facilitation & Making Recovery Easier
Character Strengths & Virtues (Positive Psychology)
VIA Institute: Character Strengths
Join Dr. Neal Mayerson as he discusses the revolutionary impact of positive psychology and character strengths. Explore how intentionally focusing on strengths can improve your life and create a ripple effect of positivity in the lives of others.
Philosophy & Psychology In Therapy
Treatment Plans for Specific Issues
The following treatment plans are also available in the client Therapy Portal on James Fitzgerald’s Therapy Notes electronic health records software website. Please ask your therapist for instructions on how to access them through that other portal.
Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
Therapy for Depressive Disorders
Therapy for Panic Disorder
Therapy for Anger Management
Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Therapy for Childhood Trauma
Therapy for Manic Type Bipolar Disorder
Therapy for Antisocial Personality Disorder
Therapy for Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder
Therapy for Histrionic Personality Disorder
Therapy for Dependent Personality Disorder
Therapy for Adjustment Disorder
Therapy for Phase of Life Transition
Therapy for Vocational Stress
Therapy for Financial Stress
Therapy for Chronic Pain
Therapy for Legal Problems
Therapy for Medical Problems
Therapy for Relationship Conflict
Therapy for Family Conflict
Therapy for Parenting Skills
Therapy for Male Sexual Dysfunction
Therapy for Female Sexual Dysfunction
Therapy for Transgender Sexual Dysfunction
Therapy for Dissociation
Therapy for Impulsivity
Therapy for Paranoid Ideation, Delusional Thoughts
Therapy for Schizophrenia Related Disorders
Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder
Therapy for Chronic Fatigue / Somatic Complaints
Therapy for Substance Use Disorder
Therapy for Suicidal Ideation
Therapy for Unresolved Grief & Loss
Therapy for Type A Behavioral Problems
Therapy for Sleep Disturbance
Therapy for Spiritual Confusion
Therapy for Low Self Esteem
Therapy for Gender Dysphoria
Therapy for Sexual Orientation Identity Conflict
Therapy for Sexual Abuse / Sexual Assault
Therapy for Phobias
Therapy for Adoraphobia
Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Therapy for Neurocognitive Disorders
Therapy for Educational Deficits / Intellectual Disability
Therapy for Eating Disorders
Therapy for Sensory Processing Issues