Prior To Beginning Work On This Discussion Review Sta 365814

Prior To Beginning Work On This Discussion Reviewstandard 9 Assessme

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, review Standard 9: Assessment in the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and DSM-5. Review Chapters 4, 7, and 10 in the Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan (2015) e-book, Clinical Interviewing, as well as the Kielbasa, Pomerantz, Krohn, and Sullivan (2004) article on how clients' method of payment influences diagnostic decisions, and the Pomerantz and Segrist (2006) article on the influence of payment method on diagnoses for minimally impaired clients.

For this discussion, you will assume the role of a clinical or counseling psychologist and diagnose a hypothetical client. Review the PSY650 Week Two Case Studies document and select one client to diagnose. In your initial post, compare the assessments typically used by clinical and counseling psychologists, and explain which assessment techniques (tests, surveys, interviews, client records, observational data) you might use to aid in diagnosing your selected client. Describe any additional information needed and propose specific questions to obtain this information. Identify your chosen theoretical orientation and explain how it might influence the assessment and diagnosis process.

Using the DSM-5, propose a diagnosis for the client. Analyze the case considering the ethical requirements for diagnosis, including agency timelines. Explain whether it is ethical to diagnose within the current timeframe given the information available. Evaluate whether diagnosing for third-party payment is justifiable in this context.

Paper For Above instruction

In clinical and counseling psychology, assessment is a fundamental process that informs diagnosis and treatment planning. While both disciplines utilize diagnostic tools, their assessments often differ in scope and application, reflecting the populations they serve and their theoretical orientations. Clinical psychologists tend to perform comprehensive assessments that incorporate formal psychological testing, extensive interviews, and review of client history, especially in cases involving complex or severe mental health issues. Counseling psychologists, on the other hand, often utilize brief, client-centered assessments that focus on the individual's current functioning and strengths, sometimes emphasizing less formal methods such as surveys and observational data (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2015).

Assessment techniques include interviews, standardized tests, questionnaires, behavioral observations, and review of client records. For the selected client from the Week Two Case Studies, I would employ a combination of structured clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires, and observational methods to gather comprehensive data. These tools help triangulate information, ensuring a more accurate diagnosis process. For example, clinical interviews allow exploration of symptom history and contextual factors, while standardized questionnaires, such as the Beck Depression Inventory, can quantify symptom severity. Observational data, especially in behavioral settings, provides insight into non-verbal communication and social interactions (Pomerantz & Segrist, 2006).

Additional information needed includes the client's developmental history, medical history, and current social environment. To obtain this, I would ask questions such as: “Can you describe your experience with mood or anxiety symptoms over time?” “Have you noticed changes in your sleep, appetite, or energy levels?” and “How do your relationships and daily activities impact your wellbeing?” These questions aim to clarify symptom onset, duration, and impact, crucial for an accurate diagnosis.

My theoretical orientation would be cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This orientation emphasizes the interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, guiding assessment to focus on identifying maladaptive thought patterns and behavioral responses. It influences the assessment process by prioritizing cognitive and behavioral measures, such as thought records or activity logs, to supplement clinical interviews (Beck, 2011). This orientation also shapes diagnostic considerations by focusing on symptom maladaptiveness, functional impairment, and cognitive distortions.

Applying DSM-5 criteria, I would propose a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) for the client, provided that the symptom duration and severity meet the diagnostic thresholds. The criteria require at least five symptoms lasting two weeks, including depressed mood or anhedonia, with significant distress or impairment (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Analyzing the case ethically involves considering the agency's timeline for diagnosis, which may range from immediate to within a specified period, often two weeks, for acute cases. Given the available information, if sufficient symptom evidence has been gathered through interviews and self-report measures, it would be ethical to render a provisional diagnosis within this timeframe, ensuring timely intervention and management.

However, ethical practice mandates that diagnosis should not be premature or solely for obtaining third-party payment. If the diagnosis is made with incomplete information, it risks misdiagnosis and potential harm. Therefore, it is justifiable only if a comprehensive assessment has been conducted, and symptoms clearly align with DSM-5 criteria. Using diagnosis for third-party reimbursement must be balanced against ethical obligations, ensuring that the primary goal remains accurate, beneficent care rather than financial gain (American Psychological Association, 2017).

In conclusion, assessment practices in clinical and counseling psychology are integral to accurate diagnosis. Combining various assessment tools and adhering to ethical guidelines ensures responsible practice. The chosen theoretical orientation influences assessment focus and interpretation, which must be integrated with DSM-5 criteria to establish a reliable diagnosis ethically and judiciously.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 72(1), 41–54.
• Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond. Guilford Press.
• Kielbasa, P. P., Pomerantz, A. M., Krohn, D. H., & Sullivan, C. M. (2004). How does clients' method of payment influence psychologists' diagnostic decisions? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35(2), 155–161.
• Pomerantz, A. M., & Segrist, D. (2006). The influence of payment method on psychologists' diagnostic decisions regarding minimally impaired clients. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37(2), 192–197.
• Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2015). Clinical interviewing: Practical skills for psychological assessment (5th ed.). Wiley.