Creating a Safety Plan in Therapy: Steps and Tips

Identify Potential Safety Risks

When creating a safety plan in therapy, your therapist will first work with you to identify potential safety risks. This will involve exploring your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may put you at risk of harm.

If you are living with a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, you may be at increased risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm behaviors, or other harmful actions. That’s why it’s important to work with a therapist to develop a safety plan that addresses your unique needs and risks.

During your therapy session, your therapist will ask you a series of questions to better understand your current emotional state and assess your level of risk. They may ask about your history of suicidal ideation, past attempts, patterns of self-harm, and other risky behaviors.

Your therapist may also look for warning signs or triggers that may increase your risk of harm. For example, if you are dealing with a stressful work situation, a recent breakup, or financial troubles, your risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors may be higher.

Once you and your therapist have identified your unique risks, you can work together to develop a personalized safety plan that focuses on prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies.

This may include identifying your warning signs and triggers, creating coping strategies for when you feel overwhelmed or distressed, and developing a list of emergency contacts to call in case of a crisis. You and your therapist may also set up regular check-ins or appointments to monitor your progress and adjust your safety plan as needed.

Remember, creating a safety plan can be an empowering and proactive step towards protecting your mental health and well-being. It’s important to be open and honest with your therapist about your risks and needs so they can provide the best possible treatment and support.

Develop a Crisis Management Response

Developing a crisis management plan might seem like a daunting task, but it can be crucial in preventing a potential crisis from escalating or worsening. A crisis management plan essentially outlines the procedures that should be followed in the event of an emergency or crisis. This can include anything from natural disasters and accidents to mental health crises such as panic attacks or suicidal ideation. Here are some tips on how to develop a crisis management response:

1. Anticipate Potential Crises

The first step in developing a crisis management response is to anticipate potential crises. This requires you to think carefully about your client’s situation and identify any potential triggers or risk factors that might lead to a crisis. For example, if your client has a history of trauma, it’s important to be aware of any situations that might trigger traumatic memories. Similarly, if your client is dealing with anxiety, it’s important to identify any situations or events that might cause them to experience a panic attack. By anticipating potential crises, you can work to prevent them from occurring or ensure that you are prepared to manage them if they do.

2. Develop a Crisis Response Plan

Once you have identified potential crises, the next step is to develop a crisis response plan. This should be a detailed plan that outlines the procedures that should be followed in the event of a crisis. Some key components of a crisis response plan might include:

• Training: Ensure that everyone involved in the plan, including the client, is trained on what to do in the event of a crisis. This might involve practicing techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness to help manage anxiety or panic attacks.
• Emergency Contact Information: Keep a list of emergency contact information on hand, including crisis hotlines, emergency services, and local hospitals.
• Triggers: Identify and avoid triggers that might lead to a crisis. For example, if your client experiences anxiety in crowded areas, avoid scheduling appointments in busy public spaces.
• Location: Identify a safe location where the client can go in the event of a crisis. This might be a quiet room or a designated safe spot on the premises.
• Communication: Develop a plan for communicating with others involved in the crisis response plan, including family members, mental health professionals, and emergency services.

By developing a detailed crisis response plan, you can ensure that everyone involved is prepared and knows what to do in the event of a crisis, which can help prevent the situation from escalating or worsening.

3. Rehearse the Plan

Once you have developed a crisis response plan, it’s important to rehearse it. This might involve role-playing potential crisis scenarios with the client or practicing communication and response techniques with other mental health professionals or emergency services. The goal of rehearsing the plan is to ensure that everyone involved is comfortable and confident with the procedures outlined in the plan, which can help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with a crisis situation.

4. Review and Update the Plan

A crisis response plan is not a one-and-done activity. It’s important to review and update the plan on a regular basis to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. This might involve revising the plan based on feedback from mental health professionals or clients, updating emergency contact information, or adapting the plan to reflect changing circumstances or risk factors. Regularly reviewing and updating the plan can help ensure that everyone involved is prepared and knows what to do in the event of a crisis.

Developing a crisis management response can be an important step in ensuring the safety and well-being of your clients. By anticipating potential crises, developing a detailed crisis response plan, rehearsing the plan, and regularly reviewing and updating it, you can help prevent crises from escalating or worsening and ensure that everyone involved is prepared to manage the situation effectively.

Preventing Escalation of Violence

One of the most important things a safety plan in therapy can do is prevent the escalation of violence. This can mean a variety of things depending on what type of therapy you are undergoing, but some general tips can be useful for anyone trying to prevent violent episodes from occurring during therapy sessions.

The first and most important way to prevent escalation of violence is to establish clear boundaries and expectations with your therapist. This means making sure that you both understand what is and is not acceptable behavior from both parties during therapy sessions. For example, you might specify that shouting or physical aggression will not be tolerated and that a pause or break will be taken if either party feels too upset or uncomfortable.

It is also important to recognize when you are experiencing anger or other difficult emotions and to communicate these feelings in a clear and constructive way. Some people find it helpful to use “I” statements, which focus on their own feelings rather than blaming or attacking others. For example, rather than saying “you make me angry,” you might say “I feel angry when you interrupt me.” This can help to prevent the other person from becoming defensive or escalating the situation further.

If you feel that you are at risk of escalating to violence, it can be helpful to take a break and step away from the situation. This might mean leaving the room, taking a deep breath, or using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. If necessary, you might also consider asking your therapist for a brief break or rescheduling the session for another time when you feel calmer and more in control.

In some cases, it may also be helpful to have a third party present during therapy sessions to help defuse any volatile situations. This might be a friend or family member, a trained therapist or mediator, or even a security guard or law enforcement officer. Having a neutral third party present can help to prevent violence from occurring and can also provide an extra layer of safety and security for everyone involved.

Ultimately, the key to preventing the escalation of violence in therapy is to remain aware of your own emotions and to communicate effectively with your therapist. By setting clear boundaries, using constructive communication techniques, and knowing when to take breaks or enlist the help of a third party, you can help ensure that your therapy sessions remain safe, productive, and supportive.

Establish Safety Protocols and Procedures

Establishing safety protocols and procedures is an essential part of creating a safety plan in therapy. These measures ensure that the therapy session is a safe space for both the therapist and the client. Safety protocols and procedures help identify potential risks that may arise during therapy sessions. They also enable the therapy team to establish appropriate responses in case of emergencies. To establish safety protocols and procedures, it is crucial to take the following measures:

Conduct a thorough risk assessment

Before creating a safety plan, it is essential to do a thorough risk assessment. This process involves identifying potential risks and hazards that may arise during therapy sessions. A risk assessment should consider factors such as the client’s mental health history, their current mental state, and any physical health concerns. Additionally, the assessment should take into account environmental factors such as the location of the therapy session and any cultural, legal, and ethical issues.

Determine the level of risk of harm

Determining the level of risk of harm is the next crucial step in establishing safety protocols and procedures. Different types of harm can arise in therapy sessions, such as physical harm, emotional harm, or psychological harm. By working with the client, therapists can identify the level of risk of harm that the client may experience in therapy. The level of risk can then be used to inform the safety plan and the necessary interventions.

Establish appropriate safety measures

Based on the risk assessment, therapists can establish appropriate safety measures. These measures may include modifying the therapy environment to ensure a safe and supportive space, setting boundaries and guidelines for therapy sessions, and developing crisis management plans. In some cases, additional layers of security such as security personnel or safety equipment may be required to ensure a safe therapy environment.

Develop clear communication procedures

Clear communication procedures are essential to ensure that the therapy team can respond appropriately in case of emergencies. Procedures should outline how to contact emergency services, how to call for backup, and how to communicate with the client. Communication procedures should also address any language barriers or cultural factors that may impact effective communication. These procedures should be practiced regularly to ensure that all therapists and support staff are familiar with the protocol and can respond appropriately.

Re-evaluate the safety plan regularly

A safety plan should be regularly reviewed and revised based on changes in the client’s mental and physical health status or as necessary to address environmental factors. The therapy team should monitor the effectiveness of the safety plan in managing risks and make changes accordingly.

In conclusion, therapy can be a challenging and emotional process. However, by establishing safety protocols and procedures, therapists can create a safe and supportive space for their clients. Safety protocols and procedures ensure that the therapy environment remains safe for everyone involved, enabling clients to receive the help they need while minimizing any potential risks. Creating a comprehensive safety plan takes time, but it is an essential step in ensuring the success and well-being of all parties involved.

Training of Staff and Clients on Safety Measures

Creating a safety plan is important for individuals who experience or have experienced trauma, abuse, or violence. However, it’s not enough to simply create a plan and leave it at that. It’s important to train both staff and clients on safety measures as well. In this section, we’ll discuss how to train staff and clients on safety measures to ensure the effectiveness of the safety plan.

Training for Staff Members

Staff members who work with clients experiencing trauma or abuse should be well trained on safety measures. This training is important, as staff members are responsible for implementing safety plans and ensuring the safety of their clients. The training should be comprehensive and include the following:

Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

Staff members should have a solid understanding of trauma and its impact on individuals. This can help staff members better understand their clients’ behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. By understanding trauma, staff members can also identify triggers and potential safety concerns.

Creating Effective Safety Plans

Staff members should also be trained on the creation of effective safety plans. This can include identifying and prioritizing safety concerns, creating a safety plan with the client, and implementing the plan. Staff members should also be trained on how to revise and update safety plans as needed.

Crisis Intervention

In addition to safety plan creation, staff members should also be trained on crisis intervention. Crisis intervention can help staff members respond quickly and effectively to potential safety concerns. This can include contacting emergency services, de-escalating crisis situations, and providing support and resources to clients in crisis.

Training for Clients

Training clients on safety measures is equally important. Clients should be able to take an active role in their own safety. The training should be accessible, easy to understand, and empowering. Here are some things to consider when training clients:

Understanding Their Safety Plan

Clients should have a thorough understanding of their safety plan. This can include identifying triggers and warning signs, knowing who to contact in an emergency, and having a list of resources at hand. The safety plan should also be easily accessible to the client.

Self-Care and Coping Strategies

Self-care and coping strategies can help clients manage their emotions and reduce stress. Clients should be trained on effective self-care and coping strategies that are personalized to their needs. This can include deep breathing, meditation, exercise, or other methods of self-care.

Empowerment and Advocacy

Clients should also be empowered to advocate for their own safety. This can include setting boundaries, communicating their needs, and seeking support from trusted individuals. Clients should also be aware of their legal rights and how to access resources and support.

The Importance of Follow-Up

Finally, clients should be educated on the importance of follow-up. Safety plans should be reviewed and updated regularly, and clients should be encouraged to seek support and resources as needed.

By training both staff and clients on safety measures, it’s possible to ensure the effectiveness of the safety plan. Staff members can implement the plan with confidence, and clients are empowered to take an active role in their own safety.