At BestNotes, we understand that outcomes matter. Families seeking mental health treatment for their loved ones deserve more than glossy websites and anecdotal success stories—they need evidence. In a recent podcast episode, Dr. Laura Mills, Director of Evaluation Services at Outcome Tools, shared her expertise on measuring success in treatment programs and the importance of data-driven care.
The Importance of Measuring Treatment Outcomes
When families search for mental health or addiction treatment, they are often overwhelmed by programs claiming transformative results. Dr. Mills emphasized that while testimonials and photos can be compelling, they’re not enough to build trust.
“Every industry in the world has metrics about their performance. We know more about buying a car than we do about the treatment we send our kids to,” she said. “If you can’t demonstrate that you help, you just don’t deserve the trust of the people paying for it.”
The Role of Data in Improving Care
Dr. Mills highlighted how progress monitoring—regularly measuring treatment outcomes and using the data to make real-time decisions—produces better results for clients.
Programs that measure outcomes can:
- Identify areas where clients are thriving or struggling.
- Make course corrections during treatment.
- Share progress with clients, enhancing their engagement and trust in the process.
Dr. Mills explained that the act of involving clients in their own data can be transformative. When clients see their progress visually, it reinforces the positive changes they’re experiencing and motivates further growth.
Key Questions for Families Evaluating Treatment Programs
For families evaluating treatment options, Dr. Mills offered practical questions to ask programs:
- What are you trying to achieve with your clients?
- How do you measure whether those goals are being accomplished?
- What kind of progress monitoring do you use during treatment?
- Do you share those results with clients so they know if they’re improving?
These questions help families assess whether a program has the tools and commitment to track meaningful outcomes.
Research-Backed Results
Dr. Mills shared encouraging data from her work, noting that research overwhelmingly shows residential treatment programs can help clients get better and stay better. However, she also acknowledged the importance of listening to critics, including former clients who may have had negative experiences.
One powerful example from her research examined the factors contributing to poorer outcomes in Wilderness Therapy. The study found that family functioning was a significant predictor of success. Families that engaged in meaningful change alongside their child were more likely to see positive, lasting results.
The Shift to Collaborative Treatment
Dr. Mills emphasized the importance of involving families in the treatment process, moving away from outdated models where the burden of change was placed solely on the client. Programs that actively engage families and measure family change as part of treatment achieve significantly better outcomes.
“When kids see their parents working just as hard as they are, it’s often a turning point in their own progress,” she shared.
Why Measuring Outcomes Matters
For treatment providers, measuring outcomes is not just about proving effectiveness—it’s about improving care. Dr. Mills pointed out that even imperfect data, when shared transparently, can build trust with clients and stakeholders.
“It’s only fair to share the results with the client. If you’re asking clients to complete surveys or assessments, they deserve to see the results and be part of the conversation,” she said.
A Call to Action for Providers
As the mental health industry evolves, programs must embrace data-driven approaches to demonstrate their value and improve outcomes. Dr. Mills encouraged providers to prioritize measuring and sharing outcomes as part of their commitment to client care.
At BestNotes, we share this commitment. Our tools are designed to help treatment centers track and report outcomes easily, giving providers the insights they need to improve care and demonstrate their impact.
Learn More
If you’re ready to start measuring outcomes or enhance your current processes, contact BestNotes today. Let’s work together to improve mental health care for everyone.