Parents Under Pressure

Module 2: Checking out priorities and setting goals

Module 2 of the Parents Under Pressure program provides feedback on the assessment, determines goals to work towards and develops a way of monitoring progress (ongoing assessment forms). It is at this point that a partner or significant other is engaged in treatment.

The feedback session for the parent is an opportunity to reinforce the message that parenting is multiply determined. Feeding back results in all areas allows the therapist to highlight both the strengths and problems of the family.

Identifying the priority areas to be targeted is the first step in developing goals for the family. The next step is to break the goals into specific targets that can be defined in behavioural terms. Monitoring progress is an important element of effective therapy (Lambert, Hansen, & Finch, 2001; Tryon & Winograd, 2001). For example, assessing a parent to be socially isolated may indicate the need for more social contact with friends, family or others. A specific target would be to arrange two or three social events over the course of the week. An action plan would be developed to specify the steps involved in organising and participating in the social events. Thus, the target, increased social contact, is clearly specified.

To facilitate monitoring, forms have been developed that can be adapted to measure target behaviours. The use of these forms is explained in the Assessment and Monitoring Booklet.

References

Lambert, M. J., Hansen, N. B., & Finch, A. E. (2001). Patient-focused research: Using patient outcome data to enhance treatment effects. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 69(2), 159-172.

Tryon, G. S., & Winograd, G. (2001). Goal consensus and collaboration. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 38(4), 385-389.