10. Client Retention in Treatment
10.1 Summary of Key Expert Perspectives
Key experts were asked to identify the treatment approaches, methods or organizational structures that supported women staying in treatment. Most of the issues identified have already been described in previous Sections 8.0 and 9.0; thus, they are summarized below. Literature relating to this topic is also covered in these sections and is not replicated here.
Key experts stressed the importance of client/treatment matching as one of the most critical elements of client retention in treatment. Program staff need to assess, in collaboration with clients, their specific needs and provide resources and approaches which meet those needs without using a pre-formulated plan. Needs may not always be interpreted or described in the same way by staff and clients. Flexibility and choice must be offered.
Table 11: Best Practices to Support Treatment Retention:
- Treatment is flexible-allows women to move in and out as required.
- Treatment provides child care services or support.
- Treatment is provided to children, where this is required.
- Treatment is client centred and individualized.
- Treatment supports women's empowerment-identifying life goals and developing the skills and insights to achieve them.
- Treatment is provided in the context of relationships with family and others.
- Treatment addresses the way women see and treat each other-establishing connections and trust is important.
- Relapse is not a defining point in recovery.
- Treatment offers a menu of services.
- Treatment addresses practical issues (e.g. money, housing, employment).
- Treatment looks at small goals and short-term success.
- Treatment (or a significant component of it) is gender specific.
- Treatment is matched specifically to client need.
- Treatment discharge is planned in advance.
- Staff have respectful and collaborative relationships with clients.
- Staff encourage and integrate continuous client feedback.
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