Assignment Practicum Week 5 Journal Entry Due Week 7

Assignment Practicum Week 5 Journal Entry Due Week 7learning Obje

Assignment: Practicum – Week 5 Journal Entry (Due Week 7) Learning Objectives Students will: Develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy Evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic approaches for clients Analyze legal and ethical implications of counseling clients with psychiatric disorders The Assignment related to this Learning Objective is introduced this week and submitted in Week 7. Select a client whom you observed or counseled that suffers from a disorder related to trauma. Then, address the following in your Practicum Journal: Describe the client (without violating HIPAA regulations) and identify any pertinent history or medical information, including prescribed medications. Using the DSM-5, explain and justify your diagnosis for this client. Explain whether any of the therapeutic approaches in this week’s Learning Resources would be effective with this client. Include expected outcomes based on these therapeutic approaches. Support your approach with evidence-based literature. Explain any legal and/or ethical implications related to counseling this client.

Paper For Above instruction

The practicum journal entry for Week 5 provides an opportunity to reflect on clinical experiences involving clients with trauma-related disorders, emphasizing diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, and ethical considerations. This paper discusses these elements through a hypothetical case, highlighting the importance of precise diagnosis, effective therapy, and adherence to legal and ethical standards in counseling clients with psychiatric conditions related to trauma.

In this case, the client is a 32-year-old female who has experienced significant traumatic events, such as physical abuse during childhood and recent traumatic loss. She reports symptoms including intrusive memories, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, and avoidance behaviors. Her medical history includes depression and anxiety, with prescribed medications such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The client’s history suggests complex trauma, warranting a thorough assessment.

Using the DSM-5 criteria, the diagnosis most appropriate for this client is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), PTSD is characterized by exposure to traumatic events, with symptoms including intrusive memories, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal persisted for more than one month and causing significant distress. The client’s symptom pattern aligns with these criteria, especially her intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.

Justification for this diagnosis is anchored in her reported traumatic experiences and symptomatology. The presence of re-experiencing symptoms like intrusive memories and nightmares, combined with avoidance behaviors and hyperarousal, confirms PTSD diagnosis. Additionally, given her history of childhood abuse and recent loss, a diagnosis of complex PTSD could also be considered, but PTSD remains most fitting based on current symptom presentation.

Therapeutic approaches effective for trauma-related disorders include trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). Among these, TF-CBT has a substantial evidence base demonstrating its efficacy in reducing PTSD symptoms (Bisson et al., 2013). TF-CBT combines cognitive restructuring with exposure techniques, helping clients process traumatic memories while developing coping skills. Expected outcomes of TF-CBT include a significant reduction in intrusive symptoms, hyperarousal, and emotional numbing, ultimately improving quality of life (Cloitre et al., 2018).

EMDR is another therapeutic modality supported by rigorous research, showing promising results in trauma symptom reduction (Shapiro, 2018). EMDR involves guided eye movements or alternative bilateral stimulation while recalling traumatic memories, facilitating trauma processing without extensive verbal disclosure. Evidence suggests that EMDR may be as effective as TF-CBT, offering rapid symptom relief (van der Kolk et al., 2007).

In counseling this client, it is essential to tailor therapy to her specific needs, considering her history of complex trauma. Combining trauma-focused interventions with mindfulness-based strategies could enhance treatment outcomes. Establishing a safe therapeutic environment and building trust are crucial for effective trauma therapy (Courtois & Ford, 2013). The expected outcomes include reduced PTSD symptom severity, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced resilience.

Legal and ethical considerations are paramount when working with trauma clients. Confidentiality must be maintained, respecting client privacy while being mindful of mandated reporting laws if current abuse or harm is disclosed (American Counseling Association, 2014). Informed consent is critical, ensuring the client understands the nature of trauma therapy and potential emotional distress. Ethical practice also involves cultural competence and sensitivity to individual differences, preventing retraumatization during treatment (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Additionally, clinicians should consider potential dual diagnoses, medication interactions, and the client’s support systems, adhering to ethical guidelines set forth by professional associations. The therapist must also stay aware of their own emotional responses and seek supervision or consultation when faced with complex trauma cases.

In conclusion, accurate diagnosis, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and strict adherence to legal/ethical standards are essential in providing effective trauma therapy. A comprehensive approach tailored to the client’s unique history and needs fosters recovery and resilience, ultimately aiding in the management of trauma-related mental health challenges.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 72(1), 33–41.
• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Bisson, J. I., et al. (2013). Psychological treatments for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 203(3), 196–206.
• Cloitre, M., et al. (2018). Evidence for trauma-focused therapies for complex PTSD. Clinical Psychology Review, 63, 114–127.
• Courtois, C. A., & Ford, J. D. (2013). Treatment of complex trauma: A sequenced, relationship-based approach. Guilford Publications.
• Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. Guilford Publications.
• van der Kolk, B. A., et al. (2007). Dissociation and repeated traumatization. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 8(4), 377–386.