For This Discussion, You Will Assume The Role Of A Clinical

For This Discussion You Will Assume the Role Of A Clinical Or Counsel

For this discussion, you will assume the role of a clinical or counseling psychologist and diagnose a hypothetical client. Begin by reviewing the PSY650 Week Two Case Studies document and select one of the clients to diagnose. In your initial post, compare the assessments typically used by clinical and counseling psychologists, and explain which assessment techniques (e.g., tests, surveys, interviews, client records, observational data) you might use to aid in your diagnosis of your selected client. Describe any additional information you would need to help formulate your diagnosis, and propose specific questions you might ask the client in order to obtain this information from him or her. Identify which theoretical orientation you would use with this client and explain how this orientation might influence the assessment and/or diagnostic process. Using the DSM-5 manual, propose a diagnosis for the client in the chosen case study. Analyze the case and your agency’s required timeline for diagnosing from an ethical perspective. Considering the amount of information you currently have for your client, explain whether or not it is ethical to render a diagnosis within the required timeframe. Evaluate the case and describe whether or not it is justifiable in this situation to render a diagnosis in order to obtain a third party payment.

Paper For Above instruction

In the role of a clinical or counseling psychologist tasked with diagnosing a hypothetical client from the PSY650 Week Two Case Studies, it is essential to understand the differential approaches used by these professionals, select appropriate assessment techniques, and consider ethical and practical implications. This paper explores these components, proposes a diagnostic conclusion based on DSM-5 criteria, and discusses how theory influences both assessment and diagnosis processes.

Clinical psychologists often employ a broad range of assessment tools, including structured interviews, psychometric tests, and review of client records, aiming for comprehensive understanding to guide treatment. Counseling psychologists tend to focus more on client strengths and use less intensive assessment methods, such as informal interviews and self-report surveys, to facilitate immediate therapeutic engagement (Kaplan & Saccuzzo, 2017). Choosing the appropriate assessment techniques hinges on the client's presenting problems and contextual factors. For example, I would utilize standardized screening questionnaires like the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Clinical Interview Schedule—Revised (CIS-R) to identify symptom severity, supplemented by semi-structured interviews to explore the client’s experiences in depth (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).

Additional information required includes the client’s developmental history, family background, and prior mental health treatment. To gather this, I would ask questions such as: “Can you describe any challenging moments in your development?” “What coping strategies have you used in difficult times?” and “Have you received previous mental health assessments or diagnoses?” These questions help contextualize symptoms and inform a more accurate diagnosis.

The chosen theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which emphasizes the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This perspective influences assessment by prioritizing identification of maladaptive thought patterns and behavioral responses. For diagnostics, it guides a focus on current functioning and symptom patterns, facilitating targeted intervention planning (Beck, 2011). Employing CBT means I would interpret assessment data through a framework that seeks to understand dysfunctional cognitive schemas contributing to the client’s difficulties.

Applying DSM-5 criteria, I might diagnose Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) if the client presents with symptoms such as persistent depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, and negative self-perception, causing impairment over at least two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). To ethically diagnose within the agency’s timeline, it is critical to ensure enough information for accuracy. Ethically, diagnosis should be based on sufficient evidence; rushing without comprehensive data risks misdiagnosis and harm (American Psychological Association [APA], 2017). Given the current limited data, issuing a provisional diagnosis might be appropriate, with a plan for ongoing assessment before finalizing.

Diagnosing promptly can be justified if it facilitates access to necessary resources and support, especially in urgent situations. However, it must not compromise diagnostic integrity. In cases where a diagnosis is required for third-party reimbursement, it is permissible to provide one, provided it is made ethically, based on available evidence, and communicated clearly as provisional if uncertain. This transparency helps maintain ethical standards while meeting practical demands.

References

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