A safety plan is a clinical document that a mental health provider creates to help a client maintain safety when they may be at risk for self-harm or harm to others. Many clients will never require a safety plan, but you should be prepared to develop one as a standard of care if safety concerns arise.
What is a safety plan?
A safety plan is a collaborative process undertaken by the client and their provider. It is a clinical document that mental health professionals create to help clients maintain safety when they may be at risk for self-harm or harm to others. Occasionally, individuals such as a parent, guardian, or partner may participate in developing the document, as they may play an active part in the plan. A plan copy should always be dated and given to the client while the original remains in your records.
Why is a safety plan important?
A safety plan helps clients during challenging times by reminding them of their coping skills and support system when experiencing unsafe thoughts or behaviors. Common unsafe thoughts or behaviors can include:
Suicidal thoughts
Urges to engage in self-harm
Thoughts of hurting someone else
Experiencing or hearing internal voices encouraging or commanding a client to act in a dangerous manner
A safety plan provides various benefits to the provider and client, including:
Client safety: Safety plans are crucial for the well-being of clients dealing with mental health issues, crises, or challenging situations. These plans outline steps and strategies to help clients manage their emotions and behaviors when they are distressed or facing a problem. Access to safety plans ensures that providers can effectively support and intervene to prevent client harm.
Liability and Risk Management: While a safety plan does not guarantee a client's safety, it demonstrates that a provider has assessed for risk and addressed the concern to the best of their ability. By having access to safety plans, providers can demonstrate that they are taking appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of their clients. This proactiveness can be essential in liability and risk management, as it shows that providers follow best practices and ethical standards in their field and can protect you from potential legal action.
Improved Care Outcomes: Safety plans help clients manage difficult situations and reduce the risk of self-harm or harm to others. When providers have access to these plans, they are better equipped to help clients implement the strategies outlined in the plan, ultimately leading to improved client outcomes and better mental health.
What is included in a safety plan?
The questions and prompts within the Grow Therapy safety plan cover the following:
Triggers: These are situations, people, or things that make a client feel upset, angry, sad, anxious, or uncomfortable.
Warning signs: The identified thoughts, images, situations, or behaviors that typically indicate a client is experiencing or about to experience unsafe thoughts or behaviors.
Coping options: The things a client has identified that they can do on their own to soothe themselves.
Support system: The individual(s) a client has identified that they can ask for help.
Professional support: The resources a client can use if they believe or acknowledge they cannot maintain their safety.
Acknowledgment: Ensuring a copy of the plan is dated and given to the client while keeping a version in your records.
When should I create a safety plan with a client?
Creating a safety plan for clients identified as high-risk is considered a clinical best practice. Examples of high-risk clients include, but aren't limited to:
Those clients that express thoughts or feelings about harming themselves or others.
Those clients who engage in behaviors that may harm themselves or others.
Those clients that have stepped down or returned from a higher level of care (HLOC) to outpatient therapy care.
Those clients whose response to PHQ-9 question #9 indicates frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
How do I create a safety plan with Grow Therapy?
Your Grow Therapy portal enables you to create a safety plan with a client by filling out a plan on their behalf or allowing a client to fill out a plan independently, which you can review, approve, or amend later.
Fill out the plan for a client
You can manually fill out the safety plan form for a client via their profile. To do so:
Select Clients from the sidebar navigation.
Search for and select the desired client from the dashboard.
Select the Forms & Files tab beneath their name.
Locate the Safety Plan form, click the three-dot menu at the far right of the line, and select the Fill Out for Client option from the dropdown menu.
Send the plan form to a client
You can manually send the safety plan form to a client via their profile. To do so:
Select Clients from the sidebar navigation.
Search for and select the desired client from the dashboard.
Select the Forms & Files tab beneath their name.
Locate the Safety Plan form, click the three-dot menu at the far right of the line, and select the Send to Client option from the dropdown menu. This will email the desired form to the client, and you will be notified when it is completed.
How do I review existing or past client plans?
Once you or a client has completed the safety plan, you will see the results recorded on their profile. You can review a client's safety plan(s) on their profile. To do so:
Select Clients from the sidebar navigation.
Search for and select the desired client from the dashboard.
Select the Forms & Files tab beneath their name.
To view the client's Safety Plan submission, select it directly. If multiple versions have been received, you may see a listing of dates. If this is the case, select the desired version.