PSYCHOTHERAPY
69. FUNCTION AND TARGETS69.1. Definition Mission Statement Therapies are tailored to the clients’ individual needs and are offered as individual, group or family therapies. If necessary parents and the whole family are included in the therapeutic process. Target: Therapeutic assistance aims at alleviating or resolving existing disorders that are a hindrance to the development of the minors’ personality within their family or between minors and their reference persons. It should support the clients and their families by enabling the families to grasp the children’s/adolescents’ psychic, social and/or physical development problems independently, so that they can solve them to a large extent by themselves in the future. 69.2. Target Group Children, adolescents and their parents 1.2.1. Indications As a rule, voluntariness is a precondition (in case of acute risk compulsory clientship may be considered) Entitlement to a health insurance grant In case of conspicuous behaviour or disorder on the first and fifth axis ranging from F5 to F9 according to Remscheid (Multiaxial Classification Scheme of Psychic Disorders in Children and Adolescents) In case of strong relationship and attachment problems (Secure Base Concept) Support in divorce cases, forestalling revival of previous separation experiences; coping with the consequences of divorce 1.2.2. Contraindications If therapy is to be used as a coercive measure If in-patient treatment is indicated Inability to reflect and to communicate In case of care/treatment in a psychiatric institution (in-patient or extramural) If psychotherapeutic treatment can be claimed on the basis of another law 69.3. Position of the Service within the Network of Offers/Alternative services The most lenient measure leading to the desired results is to be chosen. In the chain of services offered therapeutic aid comes second to the service offered by counselling centres As a subordinate alternative, in-patient institutions may be considered 70. SERVICES OFFERED70.1. Principles and Methodical Foundations The services have to orient themselves by the following principles: Integration Normalization Self-responsibility Self-reliance Protection of privacy Subsidiarity Protection of children’s/adolescent’s rights Following the state of the art in therapeutics The child’s „disposability“ for psychotherapeutic measures cannot be taken for granted. Psychotherapy must be sufficiently explained in a way that is suitable for the child. The infant’s/adolescent’s active participation is a fundamental prerequisite. 2. Care Work Care work should feature in particular: The focuses of the therapeutic method applied Recognizing and dealing with the symptoms diagnosed Maintaining and enhancing self-reliance and decision-making ability The infant’s well-being must be given priority over the well-being of the whole system (or the parents) 70.2. Range of Services The service is to be provided in units (by the hour) and must not exceed four hours per week. 71. QUALITY MANAGEMENT71.1. Structural Standards 3.1.1. Institution Size: standard value Location and surroundings The following minimum infrastructural requirements should be met: Connection to the public transport network Waiting and therapy rooms suitable for infants and adolescents Space requirement: Therapy room The institution has to conform to the architectural and technical state of the art. It is necessary to provide equipment suitable for infants and adolescents, which creates a positive and stimulating atmosphere. 3.1.2. Qualified Staff Overall staff requirement The number of the qualified staff depends on the number of children to be cared for Target value: A psychotherapist recognized according to the law on psychotherapy with psychotherapeutic experience in the work with children, adolescents and families Minimum staff requirements: one psychotherapist recognized according to the law on psychotherapy Qualification: The qualification of the staff has to meet the requirements of the service provided and/or the function and the aims of the institution (see no. 1) and the respective job descriptions formulated for them. Every member of the staff must have completed training as psychotherapist according to a psychotherapeutic school/method acknowledged in Austria. Regular attendance of training courses in Austria and abroad as well as supervision as stipulated by the law on psychotherapy. 71.2. Processual Standards 3.2.1. Organization Structural and procedural organization must be recorded in an organization manual (description of functions and jobs). 3.2.2. Documentation The client-related documentation has to contain in particular: Records of the individual units The documentation on care and development has to contain in particular: Cooperation with the social worker if this appears to be reasonable and has been agreed upon beforehand 3.2.3. Qualified Staff/Staff Development Supervision is compulsory and to be held regularly Training courses are compulsory and to be attended regularly. 3.3. Outcome-related Standards A final report has to be compiled 72. ControllingThe providers of the service are obliged to regularly supply computerized data upon request to the provincial government.Staff-related data Cost-related data Client-related data regarding presence, number of units, discontinuation, etc. |