Assessing And Treating Clients With Addictive Disorders ✓ Solved

Assessing and Treating Clients with Addictive Disorders in the Levy Family Series

Evaluate the clinical presentations and therapeutic approaches depicted in the Levy Family episodes, focusing on assessing addiction and trauma. Analyze the perceptions of family members, the efficacy of therapeutic interventions such as exposure therapy, and how physiological understanding of deep breathing techniques can aid in managing anxiety associated with trauma and addiction. Consider your supervision strategies for therapists working with such clients, grounded in evidence-based practices.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The Levy Family series provides a compelling depiction of trauma, substance use, and mental health challenges faced by military veterans and their families. By analyzing episodes 1 through 5, we gain insights into the perceptions of family members about addiction and trauma, the therapeutic approaches employed, and the physiological mechanisms underlying anxiety management techniques. This critical analysis underscores the importance of comprehensive assessment, appropriate therapy selection, and supervision grounded in evidence-based practices.

Perceptions of the Problem: Mr. and Mrs. Levy

In Episode 1, Mr. Levy perceives his struggles as rooted in the emotional scars of his combat experience. He describes feelings of depression, drink-induced relief, and how the memories of Iraq haunt him nightly. He views his alcohol use as a means to cope with these persistent flashbacks and emotional pain. Conversely, Mrs. Levy perceives the problem as a deterioration of their relationship, primarily due to Mr. Levy’s drinking, anger, and emotional withdrawal. She attributes their strained marriage to his inability to confront his trauma healthily. Such divergent perceptions can complicate family dynamics, as the veteran may see his substance use as self-medication, while family members may interpret it as neglect or dysfunction, leading to misunderstandings and increased familial stress.

Implications for the Family

The implications of untreated trauma and substance abuse for the Levy family are profound. The veteran’s emotional withdrawal and alcohol dependence can lead to decreased family cohesion, communication breakdowns, and increased risk of mental health deterioration. Children and spouses may experience stress, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness, which can perpetuate cycles of dysfunction. The family’s overall resilience depends on recognizing these issues and engaging in supportive and therapeutic interventions that address both individual pathologies and family dynamics.

Reflections on the Social Worker’s Ideas and Supervision

In Episode 2, the social worker suggests exploring innovative treatments like art therapy, meditation, or yoga. While these approaches show promise and have some empirical support, the social worker’s supervisor rightly emphasizes the need for first establishing rapport and understanding the client’s unique needs before selecting treatments. Evidence indicates that trauma-focused therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have strong support for PTSD (Watts et al., 2013). Introducing therapy modalities without initial assessment can risk inefficacy or client disengagement. Supervision should ensure clinicians prioritize early rapport building, thorough assessment, and tailored treatment planning based on reputable evidence (Wilson et al., 2017).

Therapeutic Responses and Techniques in Session

In Episode 3, the therapist’s response to Mr. Levy’s traumatic recounting is supportive, validating his experience while gently guiding him through breathing exercises. The therapist employs diaphragmatic breathing, a well-supported method to reduce physiological arousal associated with anxiety (Jerath et al., 2015). Proper breathing mechanics—focused on engaging the diaphragm—stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure, and promoting relaxation. This physiological process involves altering blood chemistry; slower, deep breaths increase oxygen exchange and facilitate the reduction of stress hormones like cortisol (Brown & Gerbarg, 2009). Such techniques are vital adjuncts to trauma-focused therapy, providing clients with immediate tools to manage anxiety and physiological hyperarousal.

Choosing Therapeutic Approaches: Exposure Therapy Considerations

The therapist in Episode 3 explores exposure therapy, an evidence-based intervention for PTSD. Exposure therapy exposes clients gradually to trauma-related memories in a controlled manner, reducing avoidance behaviors and emotional distress (Powers et al., 2010). Given Mr. Levy’s intense flashbacks and emotional distress, I would advocate for the cautious application of exposure therapy, ensuring thorough assessment of PTSD severity, safety, and readiness. Evidence supports its efficacy (Foa et al., 2009), though it may not be suitable for all clients. If resistance or high distress is present, adjunctive therapies or alternative approaches like cognitive restructuring may be warranted.

Responding to Client Trauma Revelations

In Episode 4, Mr. Levy recounts the traumatic experience of his platoon sergeant Kurt’s suffering and death. Responding empathically involves validating his pain, offering reassurance, and emphasizing the therapeutic goal of processing these memories safely. I would employ trauma-informed care principles, ensuring Mr. Levy feels supported and in control. I would possibly incorporate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is effective for processing trauma (Shapiro, 2014). Additionally, psychoeducation about trauma responses and normalization can help reduce shame and self-blame. Building a strong therapeutic alliance is essential for facilitating such disclosures and deeper work.

Supervising Traumatic Narrative Work

In Episode 5, the therapist struggles with Mr. Levy’s story and emotional response. Supervisory intervention should focus on providing support, reinforcing best practices for trauma therapy, and addressing countertransference concerns. I would recommend supervision sessions that review the therapist’s emotional reactions, ensuring boundaries and emotional regulation are maintained. Employing evidence-based supervision models such as reflective supervision (Bernard & Goodyear, 2019) helps therapists process countertransference and maintain effective treatment. Emphasizing the importance of client-centered, trauma-informed practice ensures the therapist’s approach remains compassionate and effective.

Conclusion

Through careful assessment, understanding physiological mechanisms for anxiety management, and applying evidence-based treatments, clinicians can effectively support clients with trauma and addictive disorders. Supervisory oversight ensures that therapists remain grounded in best practices, adaptable to clients’ evolving needs. The Levy Family series exemplifies the complex interplay of trauma, addiction, and family dynamics, illustrating the importance of integrated, empathic, and scientifically supported interventions in mental health practice.

References

• Bernard, J. M., & Goodyear, R. K. (2019). Fundamentals of clinical supervision (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Brown, R. P., & Gerbarg, P. L. (2009). Practices of breath meditation and their effects on mental and physical health. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 3, 1-14.
• Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2009). Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD: Emotional processing of traumatic experiences. Oxford University Press.
• Jerath, R., Crawford, M. W., Barnes, V. A., & Harden, K. (2015). Self-regulation of breathing as a primary treatment for anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 6, 1-7.
• Powers, M. B., Halpern, J. M., Ferenschak, M. P., Gillihan, S. J., & Foa, E. B. (2010). A meta-analytic review of prolonged exposure for PTSD: How effective is it? Clinical Psychology Review, 30(6), 635-641.
• Shapiro, F. (2014). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, 2nd ed. Guilford Press.
• Watts, BV., Schnurr, PP., Mayo, L., Weeks, WB., & Friedman, MJ. (2013). Meta-analysis of psychological treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(6), e541-e550.
• Wilson, K. G., Sandoz, E. K., & Roberts, M. (2017). Acceptance and commitment therapy for trauma-related problems. In S. M. Brannick & J. R. W. Wampold (Eds.), The handbook of trauma and the social environment (pp. 491–509). Wiley.
• Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing.
• Additional peer-reviewed journal articles and credible psychology sources to be included as appropriate.