Core intervention: Relapse prevention

with NiceDay Version 1.0 - February 2023

What is relapse prevention and how do you work on it?

Relapse prevention focuses on preventing a relapse and is an integral part of the treatment. As you progress, you prepare your client for the end of treatment and provide psychoeducation about the possibility of relapse. Together, you reflect on the therapy process, significant changes, and what has been learned. This includes gaining insight into symptoms, pitfalls, high-risk situations, triggers, as well as skills, coping mechanisms, and tools. You also identify individuals in the social environment who can be of significance. The relapse prevention plan is one of the final steps in therapy, but it is valuable to start working on it early in the treatment. Regular evaluation is important to ensure that the relapse prevention plan aligns with the needs and challenges of your client.

How can you do relapse prevention with NiceDay?

Prior to the first relapse prevention session, share psychoeducation about the relapse prevention plan, so that your client can start thinking and writing things down for themselves.
During the session, normalize relapse. Then, discuss signals and high-risk situations, pitfalls and coping strategies, and the social support network step by step. You can ask your client to write these down or share your screen so that your client can read along with you.
Once the relapse prevention plan is complete, you can share it in the app using a session note, or you can send a PDF file through the chat. This way, your client will have it readily available after the treatment.

💡Tips & tricks for Relapse Prevention

Try to use concrete examples as much as possible.
Highlight strengths and skills.
Collaborate on the relapse prevention plan, for example, using a virtual whiteboard.
Ensure that the plan aligns with your client's language and examples, or let them write it themselves.
Collect examples throughout the entire treatment (e.g., from registrations) for the relapse prevention plan.
Incorporate inspiring or motivating statements or thoughts that have resonated during therapy.
Consider options for social support, such as connecting with peers, specific cafes, or support groups.
Depending on your organization, clients may continue to have access to all the features of the NiceDay app after treatment. It can be helpful to continue using functions such as symptom tracking, the CBT model, or periodic reminders, and incorporate them into the relapse prevention plan.

Sources:

https://nicedaynederland.nl/news/hoe-technologie-het-terugvalpreventieplan-ondersteunt/

https://www.ggzstandaarden.nl/generieke-modules/zelfmanagement/introductie

https://niceday.app/library/in-behandeling/algemene-informatie-nl-in-behandeling/angst/terugvalpreventieplan-geruststel-plan-in-behandeling/