Insights

Pollastri, A. R., Lieberman, R. E., Boldt, S. L., & Ablon, J. S. (2016). Minimizing Seclusion and Restraint in Youth Residential and Day Treatment Through Site-Wide Implementation of Collaborative Problem Solving. Residential Treatment For Children & Youth, 33(3–4), 186–205.

This research paper investigates the impact of implementing Collaborative Problem Solving^® (CPS) on reducing seclusion and restraint practices in youth residential and day treatment programs. The authors present a case study of a multi-service mental health agency in Oregon that successfully reduced restrictive practices by adopting CPS.

They argue that CPS, a skill-based approach that focuses on understanding and teaching youth coping mechanisms, is a viable alternative to seclusion and restraint, leading to improvements in youth outcomes and financial benefits for the agency. The paper details the implementation process, analyzes data on restrictive practice rates before and after CPS adoption, and explores the potential impact of CPS on youth functioning. While recognizing limitations in the observational study design, the authors emphasize the need for further research to establish a causal link between CPS and reductions in restrictive practices and to explore the mechanisms behind these improvements. Ultimately, this paper advocates for the use of evidence-based approaches like CPS in youth mental health settings as a means of safeguarding youth, improving their outcomes, and creating a more humane and effective environment for care.