Part 1:
For this portion of the assignment, you will debate the pros or cons of
the use of video and/or telephone therapy in the assessment and diagnosis of
those seeking services. You are free to choose to debate the pros or the
cons of this topic.
Your goals in the debate will be to:
Demonstrate understanding of the
emerging issue and relevant research findings.
Display critical thinking skills,
while demonstrating an understanding of the emerging issue that enables
you to present your side in a rational manner.
Identify at least two critical
dilemmas and/or points related to the issue (e.g., ethics, socio-cultural
norms).
Defend your position with
compelling arguments and predictions for future trends.
Select and apply relevant
theoretical discussion, empirical data, and practical evidence from
professional, scholarly journals.
Format:
A page length is not set for this
assignment. The emphasis is on clear, critical analysis. Historically,
strong, well-developed papers average around 5-pages of text, before
adding the title page and references page.
Structure your paper
utilizing APA
style (7th
Edition); this includes a title page, headings, in-text
citations,
reference page, and general paper format (1-inch margins, double-spaced,
appropriately sized sans
serif or serif fonts – e.g., 12 Times Roman). An
abstract is not required.
Accurately use APA-style citations and references. Use in-text citations within your
assignment and a reference list at the end. Text from
outside sources either needs to be fully paraphrased in your own
writing style (not just a few words changed) or needs quotation
marks, even if cited.
Apply sound writing mechanics:
write with clarity, paying attention to spelling, grammar, and syntax.
Submit to your Assignment Folder
as a single document in either Microsoft Word, PDF, or RTF format.
**Grading Rubric:**
Understanding ~ Student showed a strong
understanding of the emerging issue and of the research findings. Impeccable
demonstration of understanding of the issue and relevant research findings.
Critical Thinking/Analysis ~ The student
displayed an ability to criticize aspects of the emerging issue and to present
a side of the debate in a rational manner (for example, in justifying the use
of a method with a selected population). Information is considered critically,
stated clearly, and described comprehensively; analysis delivers all relevant
information to demonstrate full understanding.
Perspective ~ The student identified at least
two critical dilemmas and/or points related to the issue (for example,
ethical/socio-cultural concerns). Accurately identified two or more critical dilemmas
and/or points related to the issue.
Position Building ~ The student defended his or
her position with compelling arguments and predicted future trends. Uses
graceful arguments that skillfully communicate meaning with clarity and
fluency; logic and details are accurate/appropriate; future trends are insightfully
predicted and are clearly on target.
Scientific Literacy~ Demonstrates skillful use
of high-quality, credible, relevant sources to develop ideas that are
appropriate for the position defended.
APA Style~ Flawless use of APA style.
Part 2:
Case Evaluation
Purpose
This assignment supports your expression of knowledge,
targeting the basic concepts, theories, and techniques discussed in the
course. Presented below is a case study. For this portion of the assignment, you
will develop and present your analysis. Your analysis will include early
thoughts on diagnosis, an accounting of the key symptoms presented, an
acknowledgment of the client’s strengths and areas for growth, and potential
treatment goals for the client. You will conclude the intake analysis by
discussing areas to explore with the client at the next visit.
Client: Carl
Carl is a 37-year-old male who, during his intake visit,
communicates he is experiencing a variety of life stressors. As you take notes,
the following list is recorded:
change in weight, an increase of
25 pounds
trouble sleeping primarily
interrupted sleep, and occasional sleeplessness
low energy
varied eating – periods of not
feeling hungry followed by increased eating
irritability and moodiness
anxiety
decreased sexual desire
self-esteem – decreasing
feelings of guilty – economic
challenges have resulted in significant income losses
Carl has been married to his
partner for eleven years. The marriage has experienced challenges but is
relatively happy and intact. Carl’s partner is an entrepreneur with many irons
in the fire, and whose drive contributes to the business’s success and a
healthy income ($185,000). Like Carl, his partner must reinvest most of
their income back into their business ventures. Recent economic shifts
have put pressure on the couple’s shrinking savings and investments, and
on the upper-middle-income lifestyle the two have become accustomed to (buying and engaging in desired activities without much worry).
Carl holds a master’s degree from the University of Virginia,
Darden School of Business. He pursued and obtained his MBA with the goal of
establishing his own business. He has a receptionist who works remotely from
home on an hourly basis and one full-time employee. Carl recently made the
move from the home office, shared with his partner, to a new office space
that has room for his employees. The office is well-sized and includes a
conference space where clients can meet. His client list has expanded, but Carl
is experiencing difficulties getting clients to pay within the 45-day billing
period specified when invoiced for services rendered. As a result, Carl
is often forced to pay his contracted account a service fee to prompt clients
for payment.
Carl pays the accountant’s fee because he requires a
steady cash flow to pay his employees, pay bills, and meet family
responsibilities. The health insurance premium he pays for his family is high
(over $1400 per month) due to a pre-existing health condition (his partner has
a chronic condition). Additionally, he pays the health insurance premium for his
full-time employee. Carl’s partner willingly, and lovingly paid the family
healthcare premium on their plan for over two years at a monthly cost of
$1,700.
Carl took over the healthcare premium four years ago, as
he felt that his partner had carried that monthly burden alone while he built
up his client base. His partner also covered expenses Carl was not able to pay
while he attended graduate school and established his business. During
the intake visit, Carl shares that he could not have pursued his business
endeavors without his partner’s support (financial and otherwise). He believes
that this has created tension in his relationship with his partner,
particularly during the current economic downturn.
Carl and his partner have three children, ages 2, 5, and
8. All are healthy, intelligent, fun-loving, and well-mannered, per his
reporting. At the time of his visit, Carl has no concerns regarding the little
ones. His partner works doggedly to contribute to the finances and attend to
the children. While Carl works most days from 7 a.m. to all hours of the
evening, his partner “does it all,” making $185,000 and being a stay-at-home
parent.
Carl feels that his partner’s deteriorating physical
well-being is the result of this effort to do it all – being there for him and
the children. While his partner does not express dissatisfaction, Carl feels
(in his words, “understands”) that his partner must feel resentment toward him
for the non-stop, around-the-clock, work he must dedicate to his business. As
the funds in their savings have shrunk, Carl feels his personal state has
deteriorated, physically, emotionally, professionally, and personally.
Carl concludes his intake visit by expressing he needs
help. He needs help regaining control in his life. He wants your
help to develop a strategy for reversing this downward spiral.
Your Task:
Review Carl’s case and give a preliminary diagnosis using
the knowledge gained in this course. Relevant diagnostic criteria can be
found in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10 link), and the Study Guide to
DSM-5.
You may find useful, as a supplement, the sequential presentation of disorders
found in Lumen Learning Abnormal Psychology, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/abnormalpsychology/. (Caveat – the Lumen
Learning resource uses DSM-IV-TR criteria with DSM-V revision summaries.
Updates and changes within the DSM-V discussed in this course should be taken
into consideration, should they apply.)
Answering the following six items, provide evidence of
your logic for each decision. Reinforce responses with scholarly
resources and appropriate detailing. Discuss how and why you arrived at the conclusions drawn. See rubric for depth and detailed expectations. Develop your
analysis in an organized, well-developed 5 to 7-page paper.
Required Items to be Addressed:
Based upon this intake visit, what
diagnosis do you think is most appropriate for Carl? Be mindful, that this is
your first session. Information is limited to the data collected in this
first visit.
What are the principal symptoms
contributing to the diagnosis proposed? Clearly explain, providing
details.
Discuss Carl’s strengths. These
will facilitate constructive work with him.
Delineate Carl’s opportunities for
growth and/or improvement.
Looking to the next visit and
beyond, what is your preliminary sketch of the treatment goals you have
for Carl? Why do you identify these goals as appropriate for Carl?
What will you explore with Carl in
future visits (e.g., interpersonal, aspirations)? Present rational.
Why do you want to this information?
Communications (scored): Writing mechanics
(i.e., spelling, grammar, organization); APA Style. In-text and
reference list citations need to be in APA style formatting.
Paper Writing Guidelines:
The paper should be written applying
APA style; this includes a title page, heading, citations, reference page,
and paper formatting (1-inch margins, double-spaced, 12-point font, etc.).
An abstract is not required.
Apply sound writing mechanics:
write with clarity, paying attention to spelling, grammar, and syntax.
Submit the completed document by the assigned due date.
Your final paper should be
approximately 5 to 7-pages (excluding the title page and reference page):
Title page (do not count page
towards paper length requirement)
Body of paper (5 to 7 pages)
Reference page (do not count page
towards paper length requirement)
Link to use for part 2 of this assignment: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/abnormalpsychology/
**Grading rubric:**
1. Diagnosis is clearly stated. Evidence from the case is
provided to support the diagnosis. Addresses level of functioning and
contributing factors. Diagnosis includes diagnostic coding and justification
for the choice made. Provides a possible diagnosis, framed against diagnostic
possibilities. Insightfully, and comprehensively addresses the level of
functioning and contributing factors. Diagnosis includes diagnostic coding and
justification for the choice made.
2. Symptoms are clearly articulated, and connections are
made between course lessons or outside resources. Explanation of symptoms’
importance to the diagnosis given. Accurately explains in great detail appropriate
signs/symptoms. Insightful linkages to
course lessons or outside resources made, explaining the importance of symptoms to the diagnosis given.
3. Treatment goals are clearly articulated, and connections
are made between course lessons or outside resources. Accurately explains, and
insightfully details treatment and treatment type.
4. Client’s strengths are clearly articulated, and
connections are made between course lessons or outside resources. A comprehensive explanation given, addressing opportunity strengths created for positive client
outcomes.
5. Areas for improvement are clearly articulated and
connections are made between course lessons or outside resources. Explains
relevance to current diagnosis and impact on treatment.
6. Areas for further exploration are articulated in an
exemplary manner. Clearly discusses reasons for wanting information, linking to
relevant course concepts and outside resources.
Areas for improvement are clearly articulated and
connections are made between course lessons or outside resources. A comprehensive explanation of relevance is given, addressing the current diagnosis and impact on
treatment.
Writing Mechanics: Paper free of mechanical errors (e.g.,
misspellings, typos, etc.) and paper grammatically sound (proper sentence
structure).
Uses graceful language that skillfully communicates meaning
with clarity and fluency and is virtually error-free.
APA Style title page, structure, headings, subheadings,
references, citations
Flawless use of APA style (title page, structure, headings,
subheadings, references, etc.).
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For this portion of the assignment, you will debate the pros or cons of first appeared on My Blog.
