WK2 DISS Assessment And Diagnosis “Under The Gun” Prior to beginning work on this discussion, review Standard 9: Assessment Links to an external site.in the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and DSM-5.
It is recommended that you read Chapters 1 and 2 The assessment process Links to an external site.in the APA handbook of testing and assessment in psychology, Vol. 2: Testing and assessment in clinical and counseling psychology Links to an external site.(2013) e-book, 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 Download PSY650 Week Two Case Studiesdocument 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.
Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct (apa.org)
For the purpose of this discussion, I will assume the role of a clinical psychologist and diagnose the hypothetical client in the “Under the Gun” case study.
To diagnose this client, I would use a combination of assessment techniques including clinical interviews, self-report measures such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and observation of the client’s behavior. I would also review the client’s medical and treatment history to gather additional information that could aid in the diagnosis.
In the clinical interview, I would ask the client specific questions related to their symptoms, such as the onset, frequency, and intensity of their symptoms. I would also ask about their current life stressors, their coping strategies, and any previous treatment received.
The theoretical orientation I would use with this client would be cognitive-behavioral therapy, as it is an evidence-based approach that is effective in treating anxiety and depression. This orientation would influence the assessment and diagnostic process by focusing on the client’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions and how they interact with each other.
Based on the DSM-5 manual, I would diagnose the client with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This diagnosis is based on the client’s symptoms of persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and worry about everyday situations.
In terms of the ethical perspective, it is important to consider the client’s right to informed consent and the amount of time needed to gather adequate information to make an accurate diagnosis. In this case, the required timeline for diagnosing may not allow enough time to gather all necessary information and perform a thorough assessment. It is therefore important to communicate this to the client and obtain their consent to diagnose within the required timeline.
The diagnosis of a client should be based on a thorough and comprehensive assessment and should prioritize the client’s well-being and rights. It is important to consider the ethical implications of rendering a diagnosis within a required timeframe, especially if it may impact the accuracy of the diagnosis.
