Therapeutic Modalities in Mental Health Care

Therapeutic modalities refer to the different types of care provided by psychiatric nurses to individual patients, groups, and families.

Now, individual modalities are centered on the therapeutic relationship between the patient and nurse. Trust, respect, empathy, and clear boundaries are the pillars of an effective therapeutic relationship that supports your patient in reaching their goals. With a therapeutic relationship as the foundation, other specific modalities like medication therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be more successful.

Okay, so your role as the nurse is to focus on your patient’s needs, feelings, and goals while helping them grow and realize their strengths. First, you’ll assess their needs and collaborate with them about their desired goals. Then, provide them with a safe place to express their emotions while being empathetic and providing them with emotional support. You’ll also guide them on how to work through their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

For instance, for your patient who experiences anxiety during their workday you might discuss healthy stress or anxiety management techniques, like deep breathing exercises and mindfulness.

Before your patient is discharged, you’ll discuss their progress towards their goals, and refer them to additional resources for future help, if needed.

Now, group modalities involve two or more patients meeting to discuss their shared goals or interests. Group modalities allow patients to learn about their behaviors and thoughts, as well as to discover new interpersonal skills or coping strategies. For instance, learning to use “I” statements to promote accountability by saying, “I feel angry when you interrupt me” to express their feelings with others.

Group modalities can provide patients with a sense of belonging, a setting to practice new skills, and peers who can provide feedback or reassurance. On the other hand, group modalities can be affected by time constraints, disruptive group members, and potential privacy breaches.

Now, there are various types of groups, like a psychoeducational group, which is a group that focuses on topics like medications, illness management, problem solving, stress management, and social skills. There are also activity groups that offer recreational activities, like exercise or art, to encourage emotional expression, relieve stress, and build self-esteem.