Essay Example Of A Client Pam Paper

The Client Pam
The client Pam has been brought to counseling by a friend who believes she needs to talk to someone professionally. Pam appears disheveled and unable to communicate clearly with the counselor. Pam is extremely energetic and is constantly moving around in the chair. Pam explains she has not slept in four or five days and is very tired. Pam is too tired to sleep and feels she has too many thoughts on her mind. She believes she is chosen to show her talents and does not have any suicidal thoughts. During the counseling session Pam seemed to be in a manic stage. Although she is not depressed or expressing suicidal thoughts currently, there is no evidence she wont have these symptoms at another time (Cengage Learning, 2009). The ACA

Code of Ethics, standard A.4.a states, the counselor is responsible to minimize unavoidable or unanticipated harm (ACA, 2014). The counselor needs to evaluate Pam, by using suicide and depression assessments and instruments.
Pam’s Symptoms
I do believe the counselor should have conducted a suicidal risk assessment for the fact that Pam has more then a few warning signs for suicide.

Pam engages in risky behaviors, such as going door to door asking people to help her out with school art. This can put Pam in several dangerous situations. Pam is not thinking clearly about the repercussions of what could happen to her. Another warning sign of suicide is Pam’s use of drugs, particularly marijuana. The use of drugs can cause Pam’s decision making to become cloudy. Pam’s inability to sleep is an urgent issue that needs to be treated immediately. Her lack of sleep can cause confusion and instability and will increase her risk of suicide. Pam appears to be having drastic mood changes. First she says she is really tired and the next minute she is explaining how she has too much energy. Pam may become very impulsive and could be a danger to her and others (Whiston, 2013). By direct observation of Pam, we are able to understand her mood, cognitive state, motor condition, and thought process (Polanski & Hinkle, 2000). I do not see Pam as an imminent threat or in immediate danger, however her mood could change quickly. I think it is critical the counselor conduct a suicide risk assessment to cover all basis of the

interview.
Conducting A Proactive Assessment
After interviewing Pam, there needs to be a proactive assessment performed based on her suicidal risk. The Suicide Probability Scale could be used in order to get an overall measure of Pam’s suicide risk. This assessment involves a thirty six-item questionnaire relating to subjects on hopelessness, suicidal ideation, negative self-evaluation, and hostility. This assessment will allow the counselor to identify if Pam is a normal, psychotic, or lethal individual. It is essential the counselor evaluate the instruments measures and validity. The counselor should make a conclusion based on the assessment, interview, and judgment. It would be in the counselor’s best interest to consult with other professionals and make a consensus on Pam’s risk of suicide (Whiston, 2013).