Step 6: Summarize and Thank
- Summarize action plan
- Schedule a check-in
End Visit
PROVIDER: You've come up with a really good plan to prevent another drinking injury: cutting back to two drinks at parties. Your friends should be understanding of you cutting back, and you're prepared to ask for a soda if someone offers you a third drink. I'm going to write this down as a plan for you to take home with you, so let me know how that sounds. Did I get it right? Is there anything you want to change or add?
JOSH: Nah, I think you got it.
PROVIDER: Thanks for being so open to talking with me. If you're ever interested in talking more about these kinds of things confidentially, I can put you in touch with a counselor that I think you'd like. There are also some online and local resources about alcohol use that I can refer you to if you're interested.
JOSH: Oh, okay. Cool.
PROVIDER: And if you're ever interested in trying to quit completely, I'd be more than happy to talk with you about that
JOSH: Sure.
PROVIDER: I'd like to schedule a time next month to check in with you to see how things are going with your plans.
JOSH: Do I have to come back here?
PROVIDER: Well, it's up to you whether you'd like come back. I'd really like to see how you're doing. If you think it might be difficult to get back in person, we can set up a time for me to give you a call in a few weeks.
JOSH: Okay. Yeah, I guess you could call my cell.
PROVIDER: Okay, great, I'll pull up my schedule, and we can pick a time that works for you
COACH: Always schedule a time to check in with the client about their progress. This gives you an opportunity to provide positive reinforcement for changes made and strategize ideas to deal with challenges. For more information about how to check in with an adolescent, you can visit the Resources section.