course material

1. Assignment: Assessment & Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Journal Entry
Assignment: Assessment & Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Journal Entry ON Assignment:
Assessment & Diagnosis in Psychotherapy Journal EntrySTUDENTS 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. your approach with evidence-based literature.BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 4Submit your
Assignment.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.”—Pamela Bjorklund, clinical psychologistWhether 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.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.Photo Credit: [Wavebreakmedia
Ltd]/[Wavebreak Media / Getty Images Plus]/Getty ImagesLearning ResourcesREQUIRED
READINGSWheeler, 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.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

2. 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/practi…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.b…Walden Library. (2017). NURS
6640 week 2 discussion guide. Retrieved
from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/nurs6640week2dis…Walden University. (n.d.).
Tests & measures: Home. Retrieved February 6, 2017,
from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/testsmea…Note: This database may be
helpful in obtaining assessment tool information for this week’s Discussion.REQUIRED
MEDIALaureate Education (Producer). (2015a). Counseling competencies—The application
of ethical guides and laws to record keeping [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.Provided
courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.Note: The approximate
length of this media piece is 23 minutes.Assignment: Assessment & Diagnosis in
Psychotherapy Journal Entry