As A Counselor: Being Competent And Familiar With Ris 607819

As A Counselor Being Competent And Familiar With Risk Assessment Is E

As a counselor, being competent and familiar with risk assessment is essential to the therapeutic process; both in giving a client’s context related to treatment of their psychological symptoms and in helping the clinician prioritize short- and long-term treatment outcomes. This assignment contains three parts, as identified and described below. Please complete each part with a combined essay of 950-1,700 words.

Part 1: Write a 300-word scenario that involves a client that you believe requires a risk assessment.

Part 2: Write a 350-word summary, discussing specific behaviors that lead you to create a risk assessment.

Part 3: Write a 600-word summary, discussing how you would assess the client. Include the following in your discussion: 1. Questions you would ask to determine the client's level of risk 2. Protocol you would follow based on the client's answers, including documentation 3. Include at least three scholarly references in your paper. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. No abstract is required. This assignment uses a rubric.

Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of counseling, risk assessment serves as a fundamental component that safeguards clients while guiding effective intervention strategies. Proper assessment not only facilitates a thorough understanding of a client’s current mental state but also helps prevent potential crises such as self-harm, suicide, or violence towards others. This paper is divided into three parts: a client scenario requiring risk assessment, a discussion of behaviors leading to the assessment, and an outline of the assessment process itself.

Part 1: Client Scenario

John is a 28-year-old man who has been referred to counseling after several episodes of impulsive behavior and expressions of hopelessness. During the initial session, John reveals a recent history of reckless driving, increased alcohol consumption, and mentions feeling overwhelmed by his current life circumstances, including job loss and strained relationships. He confesses having thoughts of not wanting to wake up in the mornings and admits to having made a recent plan to hurt himself by overdosing on medication. John appears tearful and agitated, with a history of prior suicide attempts during his teenage years. His presentation raises concerns about his safety, especially given his mention of a specific plan and recent behaviors such as substance abuse, reckless activity, and expressions of hopelessness. These factors collectively indicate a high risk for suicide and self-harm, necessitating a comprehensive risk assessment and immediate safety planning.

Part 2: Behaviors Leading to Risk Assessment

Several specific behaviors prompted the need for a risk assessment in John's case. First, his verbalization of suicidal thoughts, particularly the statement about not wanting to wake up and his detailed plan, signals a significant risk of self-harm. Such verbalizations are considered warning signs for suicidality (Joiner, 2005). Second, John's history of prior suicide attempts elevates his risk profile, as past attempts are one of the strongest predictors of future suicidality (Crosby et al., 2011). Third, his recent reckless behaviors, including reckless driving and alcohol misuse, indicate impulsivity and poor judgment, increasing the potential for harm. Additionally, his feelings of hopelessness and being overwhelmed are associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation (Beck et al., 1999). These behaviors and thoughts collectively point toward an immediate need for risk evaluation and intervention to mitigate danger.

Part 3: Risk Assessment Process

To effectively assess John's risk, I would start with specific questions aimed at understanding the severity, frequency, and lethality of his suicidal thoughts. Questions would include: "Have you thought about how you might harm yourself? Do you have a plan? Do you have the means available?" These questions help gauge the immediacy and seriousness of his risk (Oquendo et al., 2004). Additionally, I would inquire about his intent, precursors to these thoughts, and any prior attempts to better understand his risk history. Next, I would follow a structured protocol that involves evaluating protective factors, such as social support and coping skills, and identifying any warning signs or recent stressors that may heighten his risk.

Based on John's answers, I would determine the level of risk using a standardized risk assessment tool, such as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, 2010). If his risk is deemed high, immediate safety measures would be implemented, including establishing a safety plan, involving emergency services if necessary, and considering hospitalization if there is an imminent danger.

Documentation is crucial throughout this process. I would record detailed notes on the client's statements, observed behaviors, risk level, safety plan, and follow-up actions. Proper documentation ensures continuity of care and legal protection, as well as facilitates communication with other professionals involved in treatment (American Psychological Association, 2017).

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. APA.
• Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1999). Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Psychological Corporation.
• Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. (2010). Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute.
• Crosby, A. L., Sacks, J. J., & Hosain, M. (2011). Predictors of suicide risk: A review. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 72(3), 365–371.
• Joiner, T. E. (2005). Why people die by suicide. Harvard University Press.
• Oquendo, M. A., Halberstam, B., & Mann, J. J. (2004). Risk factors for suicide: Perspectives from depression research. Biological Psychiatry, 54(10), 1670–1672.