DISCHARGE
Hopefully, through processing the patient’s thoughts, belief system, feelings, and actions, and through family therapy addressing self-esteem, relationships, and communication, and creating a supportive environment, the patient is able to bring changes hoped in treatment goals However if these don’t work. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT THE COUNSELING TOPIC SECTION TO find more ideas. And if the patient has achieved the stage where they can fly on their own, the last session is going to be the most memorable one- Graduating from counseling.
- PROCESSING EMOTIONS: Definitely, self-awareness of the provider’s emotions is very important. So, doing quick self-care might help the providers gain the energy and strength to deal with the patient’s emotions. Other important parts are addressing and processing the patient and parents’ emotions. This is something I use to discuss and process discharge with parents. Please note that these are some of the things I have noticed with my 8 years of experience that I share with my families. Please use your professional judgment when using this sheet.
Ideas for last session:
There are tons of ideas for last session. But here are some of the ones that I like the best.
- GUIDED IMAGERY: I like doing guided imagery since it is very relaxing, and it is quite interesting when I see the kids falls asleep. Below are some of the websites I have used for their free guided imagery scripts. I definitely incorporate the positive affirmations, new belief system, and concepts and ideas gained from the previous sessions.
- FREE RELAXATION SCRIPTS:https://www.innerhealthstudio.com/affirmations-for-self-esteem.html This is a wonderful website where you can find tons of relaxation scripts, guided imagery, visualizations, healing scripts, sensory scripts. You name it, and it’s there. My favorite script that I like to use for my discharge session has to be affirmations for self-esteem. The link should directly take you there.
- SAFE PLACE GUIDED IMAGERY Sometimes, I have the kids draw their relaxing or safe place, and have them describe it to me. These descriptions can be used in the guided imagery. Incorporation of positive affirmations from the previous sessions, new belief system, reframing, and metaphors used, healing and relaxing words and sentences from friends, family, or themselves. Lots of kids I work with enjoy body scan which helps them stay focused and helps them come back to the script if there are distracting thoughts. So, please look at the basic script I usually use often.
