The Assignment For Part 1 Select A Client You Observed Or

The Assignmentforpart 1 Select A Client Whom You Observed Or Counse

The Assignment for Part 1 requires selecting a client whom you observed or counseled during the week, excluding the client from the current discussion. You must describe the client and include relevant history or medical information, such as prescribed medications. Using the DSM-5, explain and justify your diagnosis for this client. Additionally, assess whether existential-humanistic therapy would be beneficial for this client and discuss expected outcomes associated with this therapeutic approach.

You should also examine any legal and/or ethical considerations related to counseling this client, supporting your approach with evidence-based literature.

For Part 2, reflect on your clinical supervision experiences, including the frequency of supervision sessions with your preceptor, the nature of these sessions, and the key topics or feedback your preceptor provides. Discuss how you are applying insights from supervision to your clinical practice.

Paper For Above instruction

In my practicum, I had the opportunity to observe and counsel a client named Sarah, a 28-year-old woman presenting with symptoms of persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness. Sarah's history indicated a recent breakup and ongoing work-related stress. She reported taking prescribed antidepressant medication for approximately six months and had no significant medical history apart from occasional migraines. These details provided a comprehensive backdrop for understanding her current mental health status.

Utilizing the DSM-5 criteria, Sarah's presentation aligns with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The diagnosis was justified based on her persistent depressive mood, diminished interest or pleasure in activities, significant weight change, insomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and recurrent thoughts of death—symptoms persisting most of the day, nearly every day, over a span of more than two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The severity, duration, and impact on functioning supported this clinical impression.

Considering therapy options, existential-humanistic therapy appears to be a suitable approach for Sarah. This modality emphasizes personal growth, self-awareness, and meaning-making, which could help her explore underlying issues related to her recent breakup and ongoing stress. Existential-humanistic therapy encourages clients to confront feelings of meaninglessness and mortality, fostering acceptance and resilience (Yalom, 1980). Expected outcomes include improved self-esteem, enhanced emotional resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose, which can facilitate her recovery from depressive symptoms.

Legal and ethical considerations in counseling Sarah involved maintaining confidentiality, especially given her disclosures of personal distress, and obtaining informed consent for treatment. It was imperative to ensure she understood the limits of confidentiality, particularly if any risk of harm was identified. Adherence to ethical standards set by the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014) guided my practice, including respecting her autonomy and providing culturally sensitive care.

Reflecting on my clinical supervision experiences, I receive supervision from my preceptor weekly. Each session involves reviewing client cases, discussing therapeutic strategies, and reflecting on my counseling skills. The preceptor provides constructive feedback on my intervention techniques and emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and ethical considerations. These sessions help me refine my approach, improve my clinical reasoning, and develop greater confidence in managing diverse cases.

Applying insights from supervision to my practice, I have become more attentive to clients’ unique backgrounds and needs. I am adopting a more client-centered approach, utilizing active listening and empathy, and integrating theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Supervision has also increased my awareness of legal and ethical boundaries, ensuring that I maintain professional standards while providing effective care.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• American Counseling Association. (2014). Code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
• Yalom, I. D. (1980). Existential psychotherapy. Basic Books.
• Corey, G. (2017). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Beutler, L. E., et al. (2004). Integrative approaches to psychotherapy: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(2), 145-167.
• Corey, G., & Corey, M. S. (2017). Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions. Cengage Learning.
• Nakamura, J., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014). The concept of flow. In Csikszentmihalyi & Nakamura (Eds.), Flow and the foundations of positive psychology (pp. 239-263). Springer.
• Nelson-Jones, R. (2014). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Eysenck, H. J. (1952). The effects of psychotherapy: An evaluation. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 16(3), 319-324.
• Sharf, R. S. (2015). Theories of psychotherapy & counseling: Concepts and cases (5th ed.). Cengage Learning.