Treatment planning provides a road map for the counseling process (Erford, 2010). Assessment and diagnosis play the most important role in case conceptualization and treatment planning because it allows the professional counselor to gain a better understanding about the client’s issues and needs. Professional counselors’ assessment involves intake interviews, test and inventories, behavioral observations and relevant information from other sources (Barlow & Durand, 2003; Nystul, 2006). According to Erford (2010) the assessment process helps the professional counselor put together a diagnosis and set up a treatment plan. Professional counselors also need to consider how issues such as race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, family structure, trauma, and sexual and gender orientation affect a client’s presenting concerns and what impact these variables have on the acceptability of , and the access to, counseling (Erford, 2010).
This allowed our class to become informed on the process of admitting a patient in the field. Our class gained an understanding of the process of providing substance abuse services to clients. We learned the importance of prioritizing a client’s treatment plan. Our insight also included understanding the different treatment stages and familiarizing ourselves with local agencies offering treatment by looking up agencies and resources using 211, the phonebook and the internet. We gained an understanding of peer pressure in adolescents and discussed prevention programs created to teach adolescents the skills needed to make good decisions.
The theories that I currently prefer are the family systems approach and solution focused therapy. I want to work with clients in family units from marriage to children so that is why I favor the family systems solutions. I think the family systems approach makes a lot of sense, in the sense that when one client is the "problematic" client it can disrupt the family as a whole. I believe that when dealing with clients you not only need to work on the problematic client but you also need to work on the surrounding factors and family members in order to "fix" the issues. In family therapy you have to pay attention to every thing from who sits next to whom, family balance, roles and communication styles and this challenge also intrigues my interest.
This view point stems from discoveries revealed from training and work history. Having knowledge and experience helps the counselor evaluate theories as they are use in treatment with clients. Washton (n.d.), “….This approach integrates psychotherapeutic and coping skills-training techniques with abstinence-based addiction counseling. The primary goals of treatment are to enhance and sustain patient motivation for change, establish and maintain abstinence from all psychoactive drugs…” (Approaches to Drug Abuse Counseling ). These theories assist counselors in communicating plans coherently of treatment goals for clients.
Patient and family involvement in plan and care is very vital. The outcome is that the patient/family should be to recognize signs and symptoms of MI and be able to call for emergency assistance (911). Assess and educate the patient on diet control – Have the patient tell you
Where could you go to get advice, information and support to deal with the dilemma? Answer: Since she lives on her own, I assume she is in domiciliary care or home care. First I would check her care plan. Then if I’m not satisfied with that, I would contact my agency to learn a bit more background information about the client. Lastly, I would contact the GP or Nurse in charge of her to get a deeper insight about the client.
I plan to show that all of these experiences resulted in Lindsay's style of life, and the unconscious safeguards she uses in an attempt to protect herself. Finally I will uncover whether or not she is adequately living up to her full potential within Adler's three tasks of life. I have done extensive research about Linday's childhood, and her troubled relationship with her parents. I have done research on topics such as domestic violence and divorce, as well as neglect and biology. I've contemplated many of Adler's theories including style of life and the family constellation.
Ethical Concerns When Working With Minors As a future clinical psychologist it is my goal to treat all people with dignity, respect, and an appreciation for who they are. In order to achieve this goal, I will look to the code of conduct and ethical standards that have been established by the American Psychological Association (here after referred to as APA). Having a solid ethical foundation is a necessity in any helping profession. Being able to be an effective helper entails one has the ability to deal with a variety of situations often requiring ethical decision making. One of the best things a psychologist can do for the profession is to understand, implement, and act with the highest ethical standards.
For instance, I agree that "the most important element of quality care is the caregiver" as stated in (Papalia, 2012, p.203). I would begin asking friends and family for recommendations. I would use the internet to research and look for reviews, as well as contacting the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to look into any complaints filed against the center. I would do interviews with the administrators as well as the teachers to see if our views on child care are in line with one another. I would ask for a list of referrals of previous and current parents whom I could speak with, as well as request to be allowed to sit in on a typical day with my child present to see first hand, how comfortable we both felt in that enviroment.
Clinical Assessment Clinical Assessment 1. What other information would you like to learn during the interview with the family? What questions would you ask? I would begin by asking her parents if they have access or know her biological parents family history. What happens before she has the temper tantrums?