Integrating Psychotherapy in a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic

Author

Ayesha BaluchFollow

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Valerie Griffin

Project Team Faculty Member

Bernadette Sobczak

Keywords

Psychotherapy, psychotherapy utilization, CBT, DBT, Barriers, Outpatient clinic

Abstract

Mental illness is common in the United States, affecting millions of people. Although there are effective medications for mental illness, psychotherapy in addition to pharmacotherapy provides the best outcomes. This project aimed to improve providers' psychotherapy screening and education of patients about psychotherapy utilization. A pre-implementation survey was conducted to evaluate psychotherapy screening and the barriers faced by providers to utilize psychotherapy screening. An education session was provided to the providers about the importance of psychotherapy screening and education. Data showed that the providers discussed psychotherapy with eight patients (40%) and educated four patients (20%) pre-implementation. Data showed that the providers discussed psychotherapy with twenty-one patients (84%) and educated twenty-one patients (84%) post-implementation. The outcomes showed that project implementation significantly increased psychotherapy utilization. Limitations to this DNP Project were identified. The DNP leader was present in the room with the provider and all the patients during implementation. There is a possibility that the provider discussed psychotherapy because of the presence of the DNP leader. Patient satisfaction was not measured. Even though the provider discussed psychotherapy, it is important to know if the patient was satisfied with the discussion or required more information.

Recommended Citation

Baluch, Ayesha, "Integrating Psychotherapy in a Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 330.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/330

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