A Client plays a crucial role in determining the outcomes of a therapy program. A counselor and a client must establish a good partnership in order to obtain the necessary information regarding client’s problems. The client should be actively involved in a decision making process when it comes to the choice of his/her therapy.
In addition, a counselor should take into consideration client’s preferences and include them into a therapy program (Isaacs, 2003). In some cases, a client may require more information regarding therapy program but fail to make decision on the therapy program.
Client may influence therapy outcomes by ending the therapy prematurely. He also determines whether he/she will go through the therapy process. Premature termination of therapy occurs when a client stops receiving therapy before attainment of the required goal or objective (Loretta & Howard, 2005).
The information obtained by a client, either from the internet or the counselor, has impact on the choice of therapy he/she makes. A client involvement in the therapy process will determine the therapy outcome in addition to quality of the treatment choice (Kelly, 1996). Client can ensure the accountability by ensuring that he/she receives quality health services at an appropriate price.
He should look for the most qualified and certified counselor to handle his/her condition. It is his jurisdiction to ensure that the medical procedures done to the client follows legal practices, and they apply approved therapeutic model in the therapeutic process (Loretta & Howard, 2005).
For counselors to be accountable, they should educate their clients so that clients are able to make informed choices on the therapy program. They should educate clients on how to manage their condition and, more important, the need for therapy compliance. They are incharge of client’s health and should take a responsibility (Randall & Kelly, 2007).
A counselor will determine outcomes of treatment through the aspects of his/her personality and the techniques he applies in the therapy programs. These aspects also determine his skills and his application of counseling models in solving problems. They also impact the outcomes of the therapeutic program (Randall & Kelly, 2007).
The information counselor gives to a client influences the type of therapeutic plan the client will choose. A more researched counselor will direct client on making an appropriate therapy choice. In addition, counselor’s relation with the client will determine patient’s transference (Kelly, 1996).
He should create trustful environment for client to have confidence of him and be able to communicate freely in order to facilitate counselor’s exploration on client’s problem. Also, client’s attitude towards counseling affects the therapy outcome. In cases of stigma associated with seeking for a therapy, it can force a client to avoid the seeking therapy (Isaacs, 2003).
A counselor should promote accountability by informing client on the purpose of the therapy process. He/she should orientate client to therapy process and engage him through the process. For a counselor, it is crucial to approach this process with honesty and responsibility in order to foster client’s trust in the therapy process and promote compliance (Randall & Kelly, 2007).
Collaboration between client and counselor promotes accountability; this collaboration may include client’s relatives and third party payers. It clearly bridges the gap between the parties. It also gives a room for collaborative problem solving and provision of clients with services from other care providers. Therapy program acceptance by both parties is an indicator of its success and reasonability.
Third party payers have a role of funding and reimbursement of client’s bill. The significance of a client’s needs assessment is to promote his health through initiating change. After the needs assessment, the counselor determines the unmet needs and puts in place plans for improvement. He has to prioritize them and strategize on how he is going to meet them (Kelly, 1996).
The significance for program evaluation is to determine if the objectives are met and if a program is within the laid time limit. It seeks to identify what working right for the client. It also establishes if the client is benefiting from the program and satisfied. It determines the effectiveness of the program. It also gives trust to the relatives and stakeholders on the program progress.
It gives the counselor a basis for planning on future according to the achievement attained. Accountability is necessary to provide a stakeholder, as well as other members of supervising authorities with the necessary evidences about appropriate work of the counseling services. It provides connection between counseling practices and service impact.
Program evaluation helps counselors improve the effectiveness of service provision by care systemic examination methodologies and outcomes. In addition, it helps counselor to plan and implement counseling practice. It is also undertaken to improve counseling service and provide justification for existing program (Randall & Kelly, 2007).
Research is crucial for counselors when addressing the increased attention on accountability and evaluation based practices. As an educator, a counselor requires research and evaluation skills in order to train other counselors. Research enhances their clinical preparation of the upcoming counselors through equipping them with supervised experience in evaluation methods.
It will also enable them to conceptualize and implement evaluations of counseling program on their own, and consult their fellow counselors. Also, it has impact on development of counseling profession through provision of understanding of counseling program evaluation model and practices (Randall & Kelly, 2007).
References
Isaacs, M. L. (2003). Data-driven decision making: The engine of accountability. Professional school counseling, 6, 288–295.
Kelly, K. R. (1996). Looking to the future: Professional identity & Development, accountability, and change. Journal of mental health counsel Sexton, 18, 195–199.
Loretta, J. B. & Howard, B. S. (2005). The American counseling association practice research network (ACA-PRN): A new research tool. Journal of counseling and development, 83, 481-488.
Randall, L. A. & Kelly, C.J. (2007). Program evaluation: The accountability bridge model for counselors. Journal for counseling and development, 85, 162-172.