Submit Your Practicum Journal Entries For Weeks 9 And 10 ✓ Solved

Submityour Practicum Journal Entries Forweeks 9 And 10develop Diagnos

Submit your Practicum Journal entries for Weeks 9 and 10. Develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy. Analyze legal and ethical implications of counseling clients with psychiatric disorders. Analyze how nursing and counseling theories guided personal practice in psychotherapy. The Learning Objectives are related to the Practicum Journal Assignments presented in Weeks 9 and 10.

Week 10 Journal Entry: Reflect on your overall practicum experience in this course. Then, address the following in your Practicum Journal: Explain whether your therapeutic theory has changed as a result of your practicum experiences. Recall the theories you selected in Week 1.

Explain how you integrated the therapeutic approaches from this course in your clinical practice. Include how this helped you achieve the goals and objectives you developed in Week 1. Explain how you might impact social change through your work with clients who have mental health issues. Support your approach with evidence-based literature. You have Week 9 and Week 10 entries. You can use any older client for Week 9. I can provide a sample if needed.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Throughout my practicum experience in this course, I have undergone significant professional growth as a mental health counselor, particularly in developing accurate diagnoses, understanding the legal and ethical frameworks governing psychotherapy, and integrating diverse theoretical approaches into my practice. The reflective nature of this practicum has allowed me to critically analyze my evolving therapeutic philosophy and assess its impact on my clinical effectiveness.

Initially, in Week 1, I selected cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as my primary therapeutic approach, believing its structured nature and empirical support would facilitate measurable progress with clients. Over the course of the practicum, however, I found that while CBT was effective in many cases, integrating humanistic approaches such as client-centered therapy provided a more empathetic and holistic framework that resonated with some clients’ needs for emotional validation and self-exploration. This integration was particularly evident when working with older clients facing depression and social isolation, where a combination of cognitive restructuring and empathetic listening fostered a more profound therapeutic alliance.

In developing diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy, I adhered strictly to DSM-5 criteria, ensuring that each diagnosis was supported by comprehensive clinical assessment and client history. This process reinforced the importance of precise diagnosis in guiding effective treatment planning and in understanding clients' mental health conditions within a legal and ethical context. Ethical considerations, particularly regarding confidentiality, informed consent, and boundaries, were paramount in my practice. I ensured that clients were fully aware of their rights and the scope of therapy, especially when working with clients with psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. Navigating the legal implications of involuntary commitment and mandated treatment required careful adherence to state laws and ethical guidelines outlined by professional organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA).

Theories from nursing and counseling informed my approach significantly. The person-centered theory, with its emphasis on unconditional positive regard, complemented my goal to build genuine therapeutic relationships. Simultaneously, cognitive-behavioral principles guided my strategies for behavior modification and cognitive restructuring. Combining these theories allowed me to tailor interventions to individual client needs, fostering greater engagement and treatment adherence. For example, when working with clients resistant to change, I employed motivational interviewing techniques rooted in counseling theory to enhance their readiness for therapy.

My practicum experience also highlighted the importance of cultural competence and sensitivity in therapy. Working with diverse older clients underscored the necessity of respecting cultural backgrounds and incorporating culturally relevant interventions. This approach not only improved therapeutic rapport but also contributed to client empowerment and improved mental health outcomes.

Regarding social change, I believe that effective mental health intervention can significantly impact societal well-being. By empowering clients to manage their mental health issues effectively, I contribute to reducing stigma associated with psychiatric disorders. Additionally, advocating for accessible mental health services and fostering community awareness can promote social inclusivity. For example, by conducting psychoeducation seminars for local organizations, I aim to destigmatize mental illness and encourage community support networks.

Evidence-based literature supports the integration of multiple therapeutic approaches for optimal client outcomes. For instance, Norcross and Wampold (2018) emphasize the importance of treatment integrations and tailoring interventions based on client preferences and presentation. Moreover, ethical practice necessitates ongoing supervision and adherence to mental health laws, as outlined by the American Counseling Association (ACA) and other professional bodies (Remley & Herlihy, 2020).

Overall, my practicum has strengthened my commitment to continuous learning, ethical practice, and cultural sensitivity in psychotherapy. I look forward to applying this knowledge in future clinical settings to promote mental health recovery and social change.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
• Norcross, J. C., & Wampold, B. E. (2018). A new therapy for each client: Evidence-based relationships and responsiveness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(11), 1867–1870.
• Remley, T. P., & Herlihy, B. (2020). Ethical, professional, and legal issues in counseling (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Beutler, L. E., Harwood, T. M., Alimohamed, S., & Malik, M. (2016). Foundations of clinical research: Applications to practice. Oxford University Press.
• Kendall, P. C. (2019). Child and adolescent therapy: Cognitive-behavioral procedures (5th ed.). Guilford Publications.
• Corey, G. (2017). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Sharf, R. S. (2016). Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling: Concepts and Cases (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Sue, D., &

  Zane, N. (2019). Foundations of multicultural psychology: Research and practice. Wiley.

• Hubble, M. A., Duncan, B. L., & Miller, S. D. (2019). The processes of change: A comprehensive model for effective psychotherapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 29(3), 212–226.