Feedback Informed Treatment
What is Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT)?
Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) is an approach that helps improve the therapeutic alliance between the client and clinician, leading to increased client retention and treatment completion. FIT provides therapists with valuable information about the client's experience of therapy, which can be used to inform clinical decisions and tailor the treatment approach to the individual needs of the client. The information that FIT provides helps clinicians and their supervisors develop their clinical skills by identifying specific areas for growth and intentional practice. By soliciting and incorporating client feedback, FIT ensures that the client's voice is centered in their care. FIT is deeply aligned with NCA’s core values of Growth, Connection, Equity and Excellence.
Our Approach to FIT
How does NCA use Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT)?
FIT is a way for our clients and their family member/caregiver to be heard and understood. The NCA team collects feedback and uses it to refine and enhance our treatment approach.
What kind of information do you gather?
We record and track information about general well-being at the beginning of each session and may ask questions like how the client’s past week has been at school, work, or home. There are also opportunities for clients to openly and honestly express their reflections at the end of each session such as if they felt heard and understood, enjoyed the session, or wish to try a different approach in the future.
Who benefits from FIT?
FIT directly benefits our clients and their family member/caregiver in the short and long term. Information gathered as part of FIT helps clinicians assess in-the-moment needs as well as track progress and growth over time.
Why is FIT important?
FIT promotes a safe, trusting, collaborative, and empowering environment for individuals receiving care or working with NCA.
How does FIT support trauma informed care?
FIT supports the core components of a trauma informed practice by:
Creating physical, psychological, and emotional safety
Building trust through transparency and consistency;
Empowering clients and their families by offering choices and focusing on their needs and vision for the future
Recognizing and valuing the diversity of clients and community while acknowledging the impact of historical and generational trauma.
NCA’s Vision for Fully Implemented FIT
A culture of feedback at every level of the organization which encourages direct, clear and kind communication that supports growth and health
FIT is utilized in every therapeutic encounter and includes caregivers and supportive others in clients’ lives
An environment that welcomes vulnerability and transparency in the service of positive change
Clients’ needs are being effectively addressed in services and they experience a planned discharge from care when their goals are met
Clinicians utilize data and support from supervisors to evaluate the therapeutic fit and their clinical decision making regarding client care
Program level decisions are informed by review of available FIT data.
Supervision and team performance evaluations utilize available FIT data to celebrate improvement in clinical skills and to identify areas for further training and development
FIT data is used to develop and track agency goals and objectives