Final answer:
Establishing a plan of action in counseling helps patients create a clear path to reaching their goals, maintain motivation, and monitor progress. It involves setting SMART goals, addressing the 5 W's, and integrating personalized intervention strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of helping a patient establish a plan of action when using the four-step counseling model is to create a clear, actionable, and measurable path towards achieving their goals. This process is a structured method to examine problems, explore solutions, and recommend specific strategies for change and growth. By breaking down goals into action steps--known as Action Plans--patients can maintain motivation, monitor their progress, and adapt their plans as needed. It's crucial to make these goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), addressing the 5 W's (Who, What, Where, When, Why). Additionally, integrating evidence-based intervention strategies can help in tailor-fitting these plans to individual needs, providing a better support system for clients.