Prior To Beginning Work On This Discussion Review Sta 457768

Prior To Beginning Work On This Discussion Review Standard 9 Assessm

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. It is recommended that you read Chapters 4, 7, and 10 in the Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan (2013) e-book, Clinical Interviewing, as well as the Kielbasa, Pomerantz, Krohn, and Sullivan (2004) “How Does Clients' Method of Payment Influence Psychologists' Diagnostic Decisions?” and the Pomerantz and Segrist (2006) “The Influence of Payment Method on Psychologists' Diagnostic Decisions Regarding Minimally Impaired Clients” articles for further information about how payment method influences the assessment and diagnosis process.

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 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

As a clinical or counseling psychologist, the process of assessing and diagnosing clients requires a nuanced understanding of various assessment techniques, ethical considerations, and theoretical orientations. In this discussion, I will compare the assessment approaches typically employed by clinical and counseling psychologists, identify appropriate assessment methods for a hypothetical client, and discuss the influence of theoretical orientation on the diagnostic process. Additionally, I will propose a diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria and evaluate the ethical implications of diagnosing within a limited timeframe and for third-party reimbursements.

Assessment Techniques in Clinical and Counseling Psychology

Clinical psychologists often utilize a comprehensive array of assessment tools, including standardized tests such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), projective testing (e.g., Rorschach Inkblot Test), and neuropsychological assessments. These tools aim to provide an in-depth understanding of a client's cognitive, emotional, and personality functioning, especially in complex cases (Groth-Marnat, 2009). Counseling psychologists, on the other hand, tend to focus more on assessments that facilitate client self-exploration and ongoing therapy, such as structured interviews, questionnaires, and client self-report measures. Both types of psychologists may employ clinical interviews, but the emphasis may differ based on their assessment goals (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2013).

Assessment Techniques for the Chosen Case Study

Suppose I select a client presenting with symptoms of depression and anxiety. To aid in diagnosis, I would use a combination of clinical interviews, standardized self-report questionnaires like the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and review relevant client records. Observational data during sessions could also inform my understanding of the client's behavioral responses. These techniques would provide both subjective and objective data to support diagnosis and treatment planning.

Additional Information Needed

To further refine the diagnosis, I would seek information about the client's medical history, family background, social relationships, and recent life stressors. I would also inquire about the duration, intensity, and impact of symptoms on daily functioning.

Proposed Questions to the Client

- Can you describe when you first began experiencing these symptoms?

- How do these symptoms affect your daily routines and relationships?

- Have you experienced any significant life changes or stressors recently?

- What coping strategies have you used, and how effective have they been?

- Do you have a history of mental health treatments or medications?

Theoretical Orientation and Its Impact

I would adopt a cognitive-behavioral orientation, which emphasizes the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This orientation influences assessment by focusing on identifying maladaptive thought patterns and behavioral responses. During diagnosis, it would guide me to look for cognitive distortions and avoidance behaviors, which are characteristic of depression and anxiety (Beck, 2011). This orientation also informs treatment recommendations, as interventions can target specific thought patterns and behaviors.

Diagnosis Using DSM-5

Based on DSM-5 criteria, the client’s presentation of persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating meets the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), single episode, moderate severity. Additionally, the client’s reported excessive worry and physical symptoms align with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Depending on the severity and impact, a provisional diagnosis might include "Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate" and "Generalized Anxiety Disorder."

Ethical Considerations for Diagnosis Timeline

According to the APA Ethical Principles, psychologists must ensure that diagnoses are based on sufficient, current information and are made in an ethical manner (APA, 2017). Diagnosing within a strict timeframe without adequate data risks misdiagnosis and harm. Therefore, if the current assessment data are insufficient, delaying diagnosis until further evaluation is appropriate preserves ethical standards.

Diagnosis for Third-Party Payment and Ethical Justification

In certain cases, obtaining third-party payment may require an immediate diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. When a client’s presenting symptoms align clearly with DSM-5 criteria and initial assessments are indicative, providing a provisional diagnosis can be ethically justifiable to facilitate treatment access. However, this should be clearly documented as provisional, with plans for ongoing assessment to confirm or refine the diagnosis.

Conclusion

Diagnostic assessment entails balancing thorough, ethical evaluation with practical considerations like assessment timeframes and third-party reimbursements. Employing appropriate assessment tools, understanding the influence of theoretical orientation, and adhering to ethical guidelines ensure accurate and responsible diagnoses. Psychological assessment and diagnosis form the foundation for effective treatment and ethical practice, underscoring the importance of comprehensive evaluation processes.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 72(1), 1-44.
  • Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond. Guilford Press.
  • Groth-Marnat, G. (2009). Handbook of psychological assessment. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2013). Clinical interviewing (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kielbasa, K., Pomerantz, A., Krohn, W., & Sullivan, L. (2004). How Does Clients' Method of Payment Influence Psychologists' Diagnostic Decisions? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35(6), 635–641.
  • Pomerantz, A., & Segrist, D. (2006). The Influence of Payment Method on Psychologists' Diagnostic Decisions Regarding Minimally Impaired Clients. Psychological Assessment, 18(2), 190–195.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., DSM-5). American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Kaplan, H. I., & Sadock, B. J. (2015). Synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
  • McLeod, J. (2013). An introduction to counselling. Open University Press.
  • First, M. B., Williams, J. B. W., Karg, R. S., & Spitzer, R. L. (2015). Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

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