Not all injuries leave visible scars. Unlike the clear evidence of severe skin burns or amputations, mental health injuries are often beneath the surface, unseen yet disruptive to daily life.
In this episode of “Expert Voices in Life Care Planning,” IMS Life Care Planning Expert Austyn Bailiff, MA, LCP, NCC, CLCP, joins Head Life Care Planning Expert Amy MacKenzie, PhD, RN, CLCP, CCM, to spotlight the “unseen” injuries in life care planning and how to tailor mental health care so it genuinely supports independence.
Austyn explains practical, evidence‑based approaches for PTSD and chronic pain—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)—that help individuals re‑engage with people, places, and routines. He also tackles the ethical problem of overtreatment, revealing why recommendations are usually targeted, appropriate, and time‑limited rather than drifting into indefinite therapy.
Key discussion points:
- Identifying mental health needs by looking at the whole person
- Using methods such as CBT and EMDR to reduce avoidance behaviors and restore participation in daily life
- Building support around major life transitions to prevent setbacks
- Spotting red flags in plaintiff life care plans, including speculative or excessive therapy
This is a must-watch for attorneys seeking clear, clinically grounded guidance on calibrating mental health components in life care plans.
