Respond to at least two colleagues by providing respectful feedback on their chosen instrument and/or process. Provide another way in which the results

 

Respond to at least two colleagues by providing respectful feedback on their chosen instrument and/or process. Provide another way in which the results might influence their work as a leader. 

Use the Learning Resources to support your posts. Make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list.  

1-Georgina- 

Two intended outcomes of the therapy services offered at People First San Diego are (1) a reduction in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and (2) an increase in clients’ overall emotional well-being. These outcomes are aligned with the organization’s trauma-informed, holistic approach to care, which is reflected in their diverse mental health offerings delivered by master’s-level clinicians and supervised interns (Walden University, LLC, 2022). Given that many clients are navigating complex trauma and structural adversity, these services aim not only to stabilize symptoms but to foster resilience, emotional regulation, and improved functioning.

To evaluate PTSD symptom reduction, I would utilize the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), a 20-item self-report instrument aligned with the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. This tool is both validated and user-friendly for community mental health settings (Blevins et al., 2015). For emotional well-being, I would employ the Outcome Questionnaire-45.2 (OQ-45), which measures symptom distress, interpersonal functioning, and quality of life (Carlier et al., 2012). Both instruments are evidence-based and have been widely adopted in behavioral health settings for outcome monitoring.

As Director of Clinical Services, I would integrate these tools into the intake, midpoint, and discharge phases of therapy. This would allow clinicians and supervisors to track individual progress and assess trends across the client population. For instance, if scores remain static across multiple clients, that could signal a need to examine intervention quality, therapeutic alignment, or broader contextual barriers. Embedding routine outcome monitoring into service delivery also promotes data-informed supervision and reflective practice (Nelson, 2020).

If the results revealed lower-than-expected improvement, I would initiate collaborative discussions with staff to explore possible causes and strategize adjustments. This might include increasing staff training in specific therapeutic modalities, adjusting caseloads, or improving referral pathways. I would also examine external factors like transportation or housing instability that could interfere with treatment outcomes. Evaluation should be used not to assign blame but to generate insight, drive innovation, and align services with community needs (University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development, n.d.).

As a leader, such data would guide both short-term decisions and long-term strategic planning. It would also inform reporting to funders, demonstrating accountability and responsiveness. Transparent use of outcome data builds organizational trust, supports ethical practice, and enhances credibility with stakeholders. Ultimately, evaluation is not just about measurement; it is about ensuring that services are meaningful and effective for those who rely on them.

References

Blevins, C. A., Weathers, F. W., Davis, M. T., Witte, T. K., & Domino, J. L. (2015). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and initial psychometric evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(6), 489–498. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22059

Carlier, I. V. E., Meuldijk, D., Van Vliet, I. M., Van Fenema, E., Van der Wee, N. J., & Zitman, F. G. (2012). Routine outcome monitoring and feedback on physical or mental health status: Evidence and theory. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 18(1), 104–110. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2010.01543.x

Nelson, K. (2020, October 30). Impact measurement: How to measure your nonprofit’s impact. Candid. https://blog.candid.org/post/impact-measurement-how-to-measure-your-nonprofits-impactLinks to an external site.

University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development. (n.d.). A framework for program evaluation: A gateway to tools. Community Tool Box. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluation/framework-for-evaluation/mainLinks to an external site.

Walden University, LLC. (2022). People First San Diego [Interactive media]. https://cdn-media.waldenu.edu/2dett4d/Walden/SOCW/6070/FSD/index.html

2-Eric-  

Evaluation and Outcomes Assessment of Therapy Services at People First San Diego

1. Intended Outcomes of Therapy Services.

The People First San Diego offers therapy services aimed at achieving several goals for clients. Two key intended outcomes are

• Improved Emotional and Psychological Well-being: Helping clients reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma to improve emotional regulation and resilience.
• Enhanced Daily Functioning: Supporting clients in developing healthier coping skills, interpersonal relationships, and overall functioning in daily life. People First San Diego. (n.d.). What We Do.

1. Evidence-Based Instrument

To measure these outcomes, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is an appropriate evidence-based assessment tool.

• Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a validated, self-administered questionnaire commonly used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms.
• Implementation: The tool would be administered at the start of treatment to establish a baseline and then re-administered periodically (e.g., every 4–6 weeks) to track changes in depressive symptoms and overall progress.

1. Determining Effectiveness

By comparing PHQ-9 scores over time, I will determine whether the client’s symptoms are improving or not. If I notice a decrease in scores, it would indicate positive change, while stagnant or worsening scores would prompt clinical reassessment. Qualitative feedback from clients would also be collected to complement the quantitative data and provide a more complete picture of therapeutic outcomes. Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. (2001).

1. Addressing Ineffectiveness

If data indicates that the services are not achieving the desired outcomes:

• Clinical review will be conducted: I would convene the clinical team to evaluate current approaches and determine if new or enhanced evidence-based practices should be adopted or, better still, escalate it to my supervisor.
• Staff Development: I will also advise that training opportunities could be provided to strengthen clinician skills in specific therapeutic modalities (e.g., CBT, trauma-informed care).
• Client Feedback: Engaging clients directly for feedback would help identify specific service gaps or unmet needs.

1. Leadership Response

As a clinical leader, the results of outcome assessments would inform my decision-making in several ways:

• Service Improvement: I would use the data to refine therapy models, increase clinical supervision, or adjust service delivery methods.
• Strategic Planning: Outcome results could support program evaluation, inform budget decisions, and strengthen applications for external funding. Grimolizzi-Jensen, C. (2018).
• Staff Support and Accountability: Data would guide individualized clinician support, foster accountability, and ensure alignment with agency goals.

References

• Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613.
• Grimolizzi-Jensen, C. (2018). Organizational change management: A critical review. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 31(2), 333–348.
• People First San Diego. (n.d.). What We Do. https://www.peoplefirstservices.org/what-we-doLinks to an external site.