The Flex-Care Model of Therapy

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Discover how the FlexCare model transforms traditional therapy into a dynamic, personalized experience that adapts to each client’s unique needs. With flexibility at its core, this groundbreaking framework brings forth customizable treatment plans that evolve as clients progress, making therapy more accessible and effective.

Throughout our engaging discussion, we explore the critical phases of the FlexCare model, including initial assessments, planning, and implementation. By focusing on building authentic relationships and fostering open communication, therapists can better understand and support their clients. We delve into practical applications of the FlexCare model, showcasing a captivating case study involving a client named Sandy, who found relief in therapy through flexible scheduling and adaptable methods.

The conversation also highlights essential tools, such as the Patient Activation Measure and Care Transitions Measure, which enhance client empowerment and engagement. By prioritizing a client-centered approach, we help listeners understand how FlexCare not only addresses immediate mental health challenges but also strives for long-lasting results. 

Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we redefine therapy standards and promote the necessity for a more flexible approach in mental health care. Subscribe, share this episode with anyone seeking mental well-being solutions, and leave a review to help spread the word about this impactful conversation!

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Episode Transcript

Linton (00:07):
Hey everyone, I'm Dr Linton Hutchinson.

Eric (00:10):
And I'm Eric Tworkman and I was looking at the old mailbag
today and Katie a regularlistener who must be frozen by
now because she's living inGloucester, massachusetts,
gloucester sorry, it's Glastasorry is studying for her
licensure exam, and she emailedabout a therapy that she'd never
heard of before, about hergraduate counseling program, and
asked for some clarification.

(00:31):
So we're excited to talk withyou today about something that's
really changing the approach inmental health care the FlexCare
model.

Linton (00:38):
Well, before we jump into the deep end of the pool.
Well, before we jump into thedeep end of the pool, let's
break down the FlexCare modelactually, and what it is Simply
put, it's a dynamic approach tomental health care that adapts

(01:00):
to each client's unique needs,circumstances and preferences.

Eric (01:04):
Think of it as a customizable treatment plan that
can shift and change as yourclient does Right-o.
It's like having a GPS on yourphone that recalculates the
route whenever you need it,making sure that your client
reaches their mental healthgoals in the way that works best
for them.

Linton (01:23):
You know what's really awesome about this model Ez?
It shows up differently foreach client.
Sometimes it might meanoffering both in-person and
online sessions, or adjustinghow often you meet based on what
is happening right then andthere in their lives.

Eric (01:35):
Right, and it's not just about session format.
You might find yourself workingwith a team that expands or
shrinks depending on what yourclient needs.
One week you might becoordinating with their primary
care doctor, and then the nextyou're bringing in a
nutritionist or a careercounselor.

Linton (01:52):
Let's walk through how this actually works.
First up is the initialassessment phase.
But don't let the formal namefool you.
It's really just about gettingto know your client,
understanding their situationand figuring out what matters
most to them.

Eric (02:09):
Right, like being a detective, but in a friendly way
.
You're gathering all the piecestogether their medical history,
current mental healthchallenges what's going on in
their life and where they wantto be.

Linton (02:24):
Then comes the planning phase.
This is where you and yourclient create a treatment plan
together, but, unliketraditional plans that are
pretty much set in stone, theseare more like guidelines that
can bend and flex depending onhow things change.

Eric (02:37):
Oh, flex, Sort of like how I've noticed you think traffic
lights are mere suggestions.
Well, you got it.
Az Well, that's why I stay offthe road when you're driving.
The implementation phase iswhere the rubber meets the road.
See what I did there.
You're putting everything intoaction, but always keeping an
eye on how things are going andmaking tweaks as needed.

Linton (03:00):
And throughout all of this, you're constantly
evaluating, not in a rigidformal way, but more like
checking in regularly to ensureeverything's working just how
they should Right.

Eric (03:13):
So let's talk about some of the tools associated with
this model.
Like having a Swiss Army knife,except with therapy approaches
You've got different tools andyou pick the right one for each
situation.
Different tools and you pickthe right one for each situation
.
The therapeutic approach withinthis model emphasizes
adaptability and personalization, while maintaining
evidence-based practices Exactly.

Linton (03:35):
One of our key approaches is ACT, acceptance
and commitment therapy, which Ihope you've studied as it can
show up on your licensing exam.
Think of it as helping clientsbe present in the moment,
accepting their thoughts andfeelings without getting stuck,
and it keeps them moving towardstheir goals even when things
get really, really tough.

Eric (03:57):
Which goes along with the motivational interviewing, which
is all about having meaningfulconversations about what changes
the client themselves want tomake and what might be holding
them back, like being asupportive coach rather than the
directive expert.

Linton (04:13):
Mm-hmm.
Well, here's something I loveabout this model, Eric it's all
about putting the client in thedriver's seat.

Eric (04:20):
The client-centered approach means following their
leads and adjusting your methodsto fit their life, and we use
care mapping, which sounds allfancy schmancy but is really
just a way to keep track of allthe moving parts of the client's
care.
You create a detailed carepathway that can be adapted

(04:42):
based on client needs, whilemaintaining communication
channels between all those teammembers we talked about.
It helps that you'll ensureeverybody's on the same page,
but so nothing falls through thecracks, and that shared
decision-making facilitatescollaborative care planning.
You'll present treatmentoptions, discuss potential

(05:03):
benefits and risks, thenincorporate client preferences
into care decisions using thevarious decision aids and tools.

Linton (05:12):
Right, and we've got some really helpful assessment
tools in the FlexCare model forchecking how things are going.
One of my favorites is thepatient activation measure,
which helps us understand howconfident a client feels in
managing their own mental health.
It also provides insights intoengagement levels and identifies

(05:32):
areas that need additionalsupport.
Which one do you prefer, eric?

Eric (05:37):
Well, I like the Care Transitions Measure as a great
way to ensure clients feelsupported when they move between
different types of care or theywork with different team
members, like having a safetynet to catch any potential gaps.
And, of course, the functionalindependence measure, which
helps assessing clientsfunctional status and

(06:00):
independence in daily activities.
Right, it can guide careplanning, resource allocation
and provides objective measuresfor progress.
So if you're asked, say on alicensing exam, about the
FlexCare model, remember patientactivation measure.
Care transition measure.
Functional independence measure.

Linton (06:21):
Okay, now let's share a short case study about a client
named Sandy.
She came to therapy feelingcompletely overwhelmed with
balancing work and life, plusdealing with intense daily
anxiety.
Using the FlexCare model, wefirst assessed her situation
inside and out.
Then, knowing she had anoverwhelming schedule, we set up

(06:44):
a mixture of in-person andonline sessions.

Eric (06:48):
And the cool thing was it could be adjusted as things went
along.
We switched to more onlinesessions.
When she had a particularlybusy month at work and when she
was going through some moreintensive challenges, we
increased the frequency of thein-person Well.

Linton (07:05):
Exactly and by staying flexible and responsive, sandy
was able to develop copingstrategies that actually fit
into her real life.
Along the way, we checked herprogress using the assessments
we mentioned earlier, and shedidn't have to completely
reorganize her schedule or lifeto make therapy work Therapy
again adapted to her.

Eric (07:29):
Right.
So what are the big takeawaysfrom all this?

Linton (07:33):
Well, first off, the FlexCare model is all about
combining personalization withpracticality.
It's like having a custom fitsolution that can still work
with the real world constraintsof clients' busy lives.

Eric (07:48):
And it's about meeting clients where they are, both
literally and figuratively.
Sometimes that means online,sometimes in person, sometimes a
mix Key is staying adaptablewhile maintaining quality care,
like you're always going onabout with your public sushi.

Linton (08:06):
Yep Ky really does maintain quality care and
keeping that salmon wasabi ratioin check.

Eric (08:13):
Well, it's making me hungry just thinking about all
that quality care you get.

Linton (08:18):
Well, the research supports that too.
The research about sushi Well,that too, yeah.

Eric (08:26):
So when we're using the flexible approach, we see better
engagement and better outcomes,and here's what I think is
really game-changing about whatwe've been talking about.
The approach makes therapyaccessible to anybody who would
otherwise face insurmountablebarriers due to their scheduling
constraints or geographiclocation.

(08:47):
It really makes it so that morepeople can get the mental
health care they need.

Linton (08:53):
Well, thanks for joining us today.
Everyone, Remember, just likewe want our clients to be
flexible and adaptable, we needto bring the same spirit to how
we deliver therapy.

Eric (09:04):
Amen.
So until next time.
Keep growing and adapting inyour practice and remember so
until next time.
Keep growing and adapting inyour practice.
And remember there's no onesize fits all in therapy.
So don't be afraid to beflexible and to adjust as you
need to.
And remember it's in there,it's in there.