Although there is no cure for substance use disorders or mental health disorders, they are treatable. Whether a person has a mental health disorder, a substance use disorder, or both, there are a number of treatment options that can result in effective and long-term symptom management. This quarter we are highlighting Top Addiction Therapists that have rigorously tried a number of different treatments to find the right combination for each patient, as they view each one as unique. By taking this approach, their numbers have shown us that the work they are doing lays a strong foundation for growth and the patients who have had the chance to get help from them, now may know a life of manageable recovery.
Trac9 Informatics extracts meaningful insights for treatment centers as well as therapists, by applying the principles and practices from the fields of gold standard scientifically validated measures, statistics and computer learning to analyze large amounts of data. But collecting data is only one step in a scientific investigation, and scientific knowledge is much more than a simple compilation of data points. The world is full of observations that can be made, but not every observation constitutes a useful piece of data.
Scientists at Trac9 thoughtfully and systematically collected, analyzed and interpreted the data, and with the world’s largest repository of validated assessments, have evidence of what best predicts long term sustained recovery. Working with treatment centers and therapists across the nation and training them on these techniques has provided invaluable insight into how a patient is doing and where to make adjustments. Trac9 Informatics is a tool to assist therapists and these three are the Q3 2022 winners.
- Emily Benjamin – St. Joseph Institute
- Ivory Mallory – Warriors Heart RTC
- Megan Pena – Warriors Heart RTC
We are honored to highlight these remarkable winners and glady shine the light they deserve. For everyone else, don’t worry. We have our eyes on you and have already been looking into the winners from the Q4 results.
Emily Benjamin of St. Joseph Institute
Top Addiction Therapist Q3 2022
Ranked #1 Nationally in Overall Patient Improvement
What difference has Trac9 Informatics made in your day to day (or week), before you start a session with a patient?
Trac9 assessments have provided me an opportunity to prepare for how to begin a session, because “ it affords me deeper insight into how one is feeling mentally, physically, spiritually, etc. For example, if an individual’s Trac9 results indicate a high anxiety rating, I am more inclined to open that session with a grounding technique to promote calmness; reading these results also allows me to see that mental health needs to be the focus rather than what I may have had planned that day. More often than not, a client will report that he or she has not had any cravings in treatment; the Trac9 assessments allow me to provide data to either agree with one’s statement or, better yet, challenge it if necessary. I, especially, enjoy showing the graph portion of the trac9 so that a client can visualize his or her own progression or regression. I utilize Trac9 when blocking a client from leaving against staff advice.
For instance, if a client comes to me and demands to leave treatment because he or she is adamant that he or she will “absolutely never use again”, then I’m able to utilize Trac9 to provide a history of his or her assessments to potentially show otherwise; I also could have one complete an assessment on the spot to see if their thoughts match their words. In training with Dr. Dempsey of Trac9, I feel confident in being able to read the assessments to indicate if one is heading toward relapse and can show the data to support that concern. Trac9 can also be used to show a client his or her own progression when he or she is feeling discouraged; something about seeing their quality of life improve from a 0/100 to a 50/100 in just one week can give a client so much hope. Trac9 has only changed my sessions for the better!
What challenges have you dealt with, if any, obtaining evidence based information before your use of Trac9 Informatics?
Prior to utilizing Trac9, the only statistics that I could provide were general and not individually based. For example, I could provide the statistic that it is likely, that after thirty days of inpatient treatment, that only one out of every ten clients would remain completely clean and sober without relapse; however, that is a bland and general statistic that I could have googled and provided them with. I never had graphs, numbers, or individual evidence to help a client see his or her progression prior to Trac9; I only had words of encouragement or concern. I think it makes an enormous difference for a client to see a visual representation of his or her progress or regression.
When utilizing Trac9, what do you rely on the most?
I rely on the data. If I’m having difficulty developing a rapport with a client and Trac9 is indicating the same warning sign, then I know I may not be promoting the compassion or empathy, or even sternness, that the client needs; or I may, simply, not be the right therapist for that client. I rely on the results. I know that if a client scores a 90/100 for depression during his or her first week of treatment and then suddenly scores a 0/100 for the following week, that it is likely that he or she is not taking his or her assessments seriously, or that he or she may be on a pink cloud. It is not realistic for one’s depression to entirely disappear within seven days time. I, personally, love the warning signs that pop up as it helps me go in the direction needed for each session. And just to add to these results that I rely on, I have to say that it is ALWAYS fascinating to me to see the correlation between the different dimensions. I’m always amazed, more often than not, how one dimension feeds another; for example, spirituality increases as depression decreases.
Ivory Mallory of Warriors Heart RTC
Top Addiction Therapist Q3 2022
Ranked #2 Nationally in Overall Patient Improvement
When utilizing Trac9 Informatics, what do you rely on the most?
Using the information provided by TRAC9 allows the LCDC to view the weekly progress of their client. I’m able to view the connection between the clients’ Resilience and Pathology Factors with their level of Trauma. This allows me/LCDC to work/partner with their trauma clinician and devise a plan that can best help the client at that present time. The ability to share this information with clients allows them to give feedback and become more involved in the treatment process. The TRAC9 tool provides information that is vital for helping our WARRIOR HEART clients and demonstrates the importance of working together as a team to provide the best Treatment program for our WARRIORS.
Megan Pena of Warriors Heart RTC
Top Addiction Therapist Q3 2022
Ranked #3 Nationally in Overall Patient Improvement
What difference has Trac9 Informatics made in your day to day (or week), before you start a session with a patient?
Trac9 has made it easy to assess the starting point and weekly progress with each client. It allows the client to give feedback on their scores and explore what the score is reflecting in treatment for both resiliency and pathology factors. This is imperative in understanding what is working for the client and what is not. Client check-ins are always helpful but Trac9 shows a clear progression or regression on the client’s progress charts. I look at the numbers first and then look for trends on the charts. The tools that help are the color coding as well as the red flags alert. Every client has a unique need, listen to the client and figure out as a team what’s going to bring the most benefit.
Selection Process
Winners were determined by calculating the average total patient improvement (Global Recovery Score) from week 1 to week 4 in treatment. Eligible therapists must have seen at least 10 patients during the quarter. Prior to calculating averages, all statistical outliers were removed (Winsorized at 3 Standard Deviations). As with all unbiased awards, the Trac9 awards are based on objective data, unbiased by personal relationships or professional affiliations. There is no application or fee to be considered for these awards. Trac9 never accepts sponsorships for any awards, spotlights or social media activity.
Questions or comments can be directed to media@trac9.com.
Trac9 Informatics was created by Dr. Jared P. Dempsey in collaboration Dr. Kitty S. Harris, NLW Partners, LLC
