COLLABORATION

In a clinical setting, collaboration is often referred to as a therapeutic alliance. A therapeutic alliance is a collaborative relationship that is formed between the provider and family with the intent of working together to meet the family's needs and goals. 1,2 

Good collaboration is associated with:

• Higher child and parent engagement during treatment 1,2,4,5,6,7
• Increased medication compliance 1
• Decreased hospitalization time 8
• Greater client retention 1,3,4,5,6,7,9,10

• Team-based partnership created between family and provider 1
• Treatment centered around the family's needs and goals 11,12,13,14,15
• Family input is incorporated into treatment 2,3

1. Address any concerns that were brought up. 

2. Address any cultural barriers (e.g., stigma, shame). 

3. Identify future potential barriers by asking, “what might get in the way of coming back?” 

4. Help problem-solve to address the barriers.