Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay

Week 2: Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy

“A sensitively crafted intake assessment can be a powerful therapeutic tool. It can establish rapport between patient and therapist, further the therapeutic alliance, alleviate anxiety, provide reassurance, and facilitate the flow of information necessary for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.”

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—Pamela Bjorklund, clinical psychologist

Whether you are treating patients for physical ailments or clients for mental health issues, the assessment process is an inextricable part of health care. To properly diagnose clients and develop treatment plans, you must have a strong foundation in assessment. This includes a working knowledge of assessments that are available to aid in diagnosis, how to use these assessments, and how to select the most appropriate assessment based on a client’s presentation. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay.

This week, as you explore assessment and diagnosis in psychotherapy, you examine assessment tools, including their psychometric properties and appropriate use. You also develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy and consider legal and ethical implications of counseling these clients.

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Learning Resources

Required Readings

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

• Chapter 3, “Assessment and Diagnosis” (pp. 95–168)
• Chapter 4, “The Initial Contact and Maintaining the Frame” (pp. 169–224)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay.

Note: It is highly recommended that you use this resource as a reference guide throughout the course. You will access this text from the Walden Library databases.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (1995). Practice parameters for the psychiatric assessment of children and adolescents. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved from https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/practice_parameters/psychiatric_assessment_practice_parameter.pdf

American Psychiatric Association. (2016). Practice guidelines for the psychiatric evaluation of adults (3rd ed.). Arlington, VA: Author. Retrieved from http://psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.books.9780890426760

Walden Library. (2017). NURS 6640 week 2 discussion guide. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/nurs6640week2discussion

Walden University. (n.d.). Tests & measures: Home. Retrieved February 6, 2017, from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/testsmeasures

Note: This database may be helpful in obtaining assessment tool information for this week’s Discussion.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2015a). Counseling competencies—The application of ethical guides and laws to record keeping [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay.

Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 23 minutes.

 

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Discussion: Assessment Tools

Assessment tools have two primary purposes: 1) to measure illness and diagnose clients, and 2) to measure a client’s response to treatment. Often, you will find that multiple assessment tools are designed to measure the same condition or response. Not all tools, however, are appropriate for use in all clinical situations. You must consider the strengths and weaknesses of each tool to select the appropriate assessment tool for your client. For this Discussion, as you examine the assessment tool assigned to you by the Course Instructor, consider its use in psychotherapy. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze psychometric properties of assessment tools
• Evaluate appropriate use of assessment tools in psychotherapy
• Compare assessment tools used in psychotherapy

Note: By Day 1 of this week, the Course Instructor will assign you to an assessment tool that is used in psychotherapy.

To prepare:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide.
• Consider the asessment tool assigned to you by the Course Instructor.
• Review the Library Course Guide in your Learning Resources for assistance in locating information on the assessment tool you were assigned.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

By Day 3

Post an explanation of the psychometric properties of the assessment tool you were assigned. Explain when it is appropriate to use this assessment tool with clients, including whether the tool can be used to evaluate the efficacy of psychopharmacologic medications. Support your approach with evidence-based literature. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by comparing your assessment tool to theirs.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 2 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 2 Discussion

Assignment 1: Practicum – Week 2 Journal Entry

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy*
• Analyze legal and ethical implications of counseling clients with psychiatric disorders*

* The Assignment related to this Learning Objective is introduced this week and submitted in Week 4.

Select a client whom you observed or counseled this week. Then, address the following in your Practicum Journal:

• Describe the client (without violating HIPAA regulations) and identify any pertinent history or medical information, including prescribed medications.
• Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), explain and justify your diagnosis for this client.
• Explain any legal and/or ethical implications related to counseling this client.
• Support your approach with evidence-based literature. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay.

By Day 7 of Week 4

Submit your Assignment.

Assignment 2: Board Vitals

This week you will be responding to twenty Board Vitals questions that cover a broad review of your Nurse Practitioner program courses up to this point.

These review questions will provide practice that is critical in your preparation for the national certification exam that’s required to certify you to practice as a nurse practitioner. These customized test questions are designed to help you prepare for your Nurse Practitioner certification exam. It is in your best interest to take your time, do your best, and answer each question to the best of your ability. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay.

You can access Board Vitals through the link sent to you in email or by following the link below:

https://www.boardvitals.com/

By Day 7

Complete the Board Vitals questions.

Week in Review

Now that you have:

• Analyzed psychometric properties of assessment tools
• Evaluated appropriate use of assessment tools in psychotherapy
• Compared assessment tools used in psychotherapy
• Developed diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy
• Analyzed legal and ethical implications of counseling clients with psychiatric disorders
• Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay

Next week, you will:

• Evaluate the application of current literature to clinical practice
• Assess clients presenting for psychotherapy
• Develop genograms for clients presenting for psychotherapy. Assessment and Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Essay