Risk assessment is an ongoing and dynamic process that continues throughout treatment. A client's level of risk may change as their symptoms, circumstances, functioning, or engagement in treatment change.
What can contribute to changes in risk?
A client's level of risk may change in response to factors such as:
- Life events or situational stressors
- Changes in symptom acuity
- Changes in treatment engagement
- Environmental or contextual changes
What should I do as part of ongoing risk monitoring?
As part of ongoing treatment, providers are expected to:
- Continuously assess risk, as clinically appropriate.
- Monitor changes in treatment engagement, functioning, and overall presentation.
- Collaboratively update safety plans, as needed, to reflect current risk, triggers, coping strategies, and available supports.
- Revise the treatment plan based on evolving clinical needs.
- Make appropriate referrals when clinically indicated.
- Follow applicable documentation and reporting requirements.
Ongoing monitoring allows you to identify changes from the client's established baseline and respond thoughtfully when new or changing risk concerns emerge.