Library · Domain 3. Treatment Planning & Continuity of Care · 3B. Continuity of Care
Task 3B.7
Reviewing progress at planned intervals
“Engage with client in review of progress toward treatment goals at planned intervals” (NBCC, 2027 task 3B.7)
Regular, planned reviews of progress keep treatment on track and give the client a voice in judging what is working. They use the goals and measures set in the treatment plan. The exam tests progress monitoring and its use in decision-making.
Key points
- Set review points in the treatment plan, for example every four to six sessions or at agency or payer intervals.
- Review each goal and objective with the client using the agreed measures: scores, logs, behavior counts, or the client's ratings.
- Routine outcome monitoring (for example with brief session-by-session measures) helps detect clients who are not improving early.
- Discuss the client's perception of progress; it may differ from the counselor's, and both matter.
- Use reviews to decide whether to continue, adjust interventions, revise goals or plan toward ending.
- Acknowledge and reinforce progress, which builds hope and motivation.
- Document the review and any changes.
In practice
At the sixth session, a counselor and client review the client's weekly anxiety ratings and avoidance log. Two goals are improving and one is not, so they revise the approach for the third goal and set the next review for week twelve.
A counselor uses a brief outcome measure each session. When a client's scores decline for three sessions in a row, the counselor raises it in session rather than waiting for the scheduled review.
Check yourself
Why plan progress reviews at set intervals?
Regular reviews ensure treatment is evaluated and adjusted rather than drifting.
What does routine outcome monitoring help detect?
Clients who are not improving or are getting worse, early enough to change course.
What should a counselor do if the client's view of progress differs from the data?
Explore the difference openly, since both perspectives inform whether the plan needs to change.
NBCC's knowledge and skills for 3B. Continuity of Care
Knowledge of: Levels of care; Professional wills; Community partner/resources; Release of information (ROI) protocols and requirements; Wraparound services; Stages of change; Discharge practices; Proper termination protocols.
Skill in: Establishing contact with community resources; Applying relapse prevention strategies; Evaluating readiness for discharge.
A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.