The first steps that I would take would include assessing whether each client were displaying characteristics of normal, acute, or chronic risk factors, as discussed by Jackson-Cherry and Erford (2013), while employing microskills that show attention, concern, and empathy in relating to the client. I would be sure to keep a calm tone, stay away from asking too many questions following one another, and use reflecting and paraphrasing to get clarity and understanding from the client. A risk assessment can be done in the process, and I would be able to better know how to move forward with each client to gain more information to better serve their needs. For example, John seems to be experiencing long-term distress from his deployment experience, …show more content…
and results in being chronically at-risk. As such, John has evident risk factors, but does not have a specific plan to follow through with suicide. On the other hand, Jane is experiencing acute risk, which would be considered an emergency. She would need intervention immediately since the quick onset of her crisis may not allow for her to cope as effectively as someone like John, who has managed his distress over time, although it his crisis needs attention and care too. Discovering the risk factors and protective factors that are woven into the lives of these two individuals would give further insight into how to best serve both clients.
Since both have significant others, while John also has a newborn and Jane the support from colleagues, they both have an increased chance of being deterred from completing suicide (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2013). Using an assessment like SAD PERSONS, would add more information for me to work with to determine if the client would need to be recommended or sent to the hospital for care (Warden, Spiwak, Sareen, & Bolton, 2014). The SAD PERSONS assessment would include identifying if the client suicide ideation, plans or behavior to follow through with suicide, as well as identifying warning signs for imminent risk (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, …show more content…
2013). Lastly, the clients and I would move into formulating a safety plan, which would include the following elements: Knowing when to use the plan Ideas for specific things to do to calm down when you feel suicidal Listing reasons for living List of people to talk to, like friends and family Person to talk to for professional care Ways to make your environment safe An action plan to execute when you don’t feel safe (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2013). In the event that a client must be hospitalized, the counselor should be sure to follow up with them, as is best practice for professional counselors (Jackson-Cherry & Erford, 2013). Assessing the needs of John and Jane’s crisis intervention is not as clear cut as I would have imagined. Because they both have symptoms of PTSD and depression, I believe that it is definitely necessary for both clients to be recommended for treatment at a hospital. However, I believe that John and Jane have different needs that require attention based upon risk assessment and level of risk. Because I assessed that John is experiencing a chronic risk, from the long-term distress of experiencing extreme trauma while on deployment and struggling to adjust to life back at home, I would recommend him for outpatient care.
Outpatient care has proved to be effective with individuals suffering with PTSD and depression through cognitive processing therapy (Campbell, Felker, Liu, Yano, Kirchner, Chan, & ... Chaney, 2007). Although inpatient care could also benefit John, taking him away from his only protective factors (wife and newborn baby) could prove to be more detrimental to his fragile state. As best practice, I would be sure to follow up with John and provide resources, therapeutic support, and other information for his care as
needed. On the other hand, I think that it would be in Jane’s best interest to be admitted into the hospital for inpatient care. Although her SAD PERSONS report totaled to 3 points, it is only one assessment to be taken into consideration. Jane is experiencing a great amount of guilt and shame from believing that a colleague of hers was killed when they switched places. I assessed that Jane has an acute risk, although she has self-reported that she does not have a plan to commit suicide. She is not cognitively strong and with such an acute risk, while verbalizing her suicide ideation, an inpatient program could prove to be effective. For example, a treatment known as motivational interviewing proved to be favored among veterans participating in inpatient care, where the findings showed that suicidal ideation dropped drastically while they were hospitalized and even up to 2 months after being discharged (Britton, Conner, & Maisto, 2012). Just as with John, I would follow up with Jane to offer services, support, and resources as needed.
...rk out from their facial expressions and body language how they may be feeling then adjust my approach accordingly. I like to make my appearance to be well presented, I feel this makes me easier to be approached by clients if I have a welcoming and open body language for them to talk to me when working in practice. Firstly I assess the situation the client and myself are in. for example if the client had come to the practice for the euthanasia of there beloved pet, my communication would be much different if it was a client to be bringing their new puppy. I would use a kind and caring tone and ask the clients needs to try and make them feel in control of the situation. I would then reassure them that it is a kind decision and make fuss of their animal. This has worked for me in previous situations I have dealt with and have had positive feed back.
Giving bad news should be done carefully and humanely, and trust should be established as well as a relationship being built. Empathy is one of the most important things. Maybe if you relate a client's situation with a situation you were once in, and explain how you once grieved, it will help you two relate as a person. You should also never rush your client once bad news is delivered. Give them your full attention, answer their questions, make sure that your client is aware that you are empathetic and you care.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a devastating anxiety disorder that affects many active military personnel and veterans. In many cases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) goes untreated often due to the individual not realizing that they are being affected by the disorder, or by the individual having previous failed attempts at treatment. Even though PTSD is now being recognized as a disorder that affects many soldiers, the disorder's effect on family is not as widely recognized. The spouses and children of individuals with PTSD often experience similar negative symptoms of the disorder; this is referred to as secondary traumatization or compassion fatigue. Many families of active military personnel and veterans suffering from PTSD appear to have secondary traumatization, as they experience similar symptoms and feelings of loneliness, which leads to them feeling as though they are also suffering from the disorder.
There are many different causes of PTSD such as sexual abuse, sudden death of a loved one, and war. Trauma affects people in different ways, some can develop it from watching a fellow soldier being killed, and some can develop it from losing their jobs or a divorce. Being diagnosed with PTSD is a difficult process because there are many other psychological disorders whose symptoms can overlap and are very similar. An important fact to remember is that PTSD doesn’t just affect the person suffering; it can also have secondhand effects on their spouses, children, parents, friends, co-workers, and other loved ones. Although there is no direct cure, there are many treatment and alternative treatment options to assist them in moving forward after a trauma.
Even though millions of individuals in the United States suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), this illness in veterans that served in Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan does not receive a lot of recognition for their service and the traumatic event they experience. This is unfortunate when provided with the information researched that the effects of PTSD for veterans in Iraq and health issues are more than any other military population. Younger military population is viewed by many as ‘puzzling’ and they do not fit with the list of so called ‘minority groups’ (Savitsky et al., 2009). This article spoke about millions of veterans with PTSD following the 9/11, who is depressed and victims of traumatic events are not getting the help they really need. A process of prevention is to educate doctors, nurses, and other people in the medical profession and society in general that PTSD in veterans from Iraq and other war zones is able to be avoided. Another option of intervention or prevention is to get involved with some outpatient mental-health services. These services will help veterans and their families with strategies in teaching practical approaches to cope with PTSD. It will also contribute support on a national, state, and local level in a more consistent manner. This will help men, women, children, and veterans with PTSD, techniques in real-life situations (Savitsky et al., 2009).
The relationship between the counsellor and client is fundamental to the success of the counselling experience and the results that will follow. The counsellor and client need to build rapport and trust. The client needs to feel comfortable enough to open up and discuss their inner most thoughts and fears in the knowledge that the discussion is confidential and non-judgemental. The resulting relationship should be one of mutual respect.
Dr. Shneidman concludes that the best way to understanding suicide is not through the study of the brain structure, nor study of social statistics and mental disease, but through the study of human emotions. Dr. Shneidman believes that those persons who commit suicide do so to either put a side or to stop unbearable psychological pain, due to the constant frustration for important psychological needs. The psychological needs that Dr. Shneidam mentions, were first described by Henry A Murray in Explorations in Personality (1938). According to Dr. Shneidman, suicides are partially part to one of the five number of frustrated psychological needs: (1) prevented love, acceptance, and belonging: (2) fractured control, and predictability: (3) assaulted self-image and avoidance or shame: (4) ruptured key relationships and attendant grief: (5) excessive anger, rage and hostility. Suicide isn’t so much a factor of the psychological needs but frustration caused by basic needs for that person to function. In general a therapist’s or psychotherapist’s goal. Is to recognize a suicidal patients needs. So the therapist can help the patient see the other alternatives instead of suicide.
Ethically and therapeutically building a relationship with Joe is important. All consents should be explained prior to signing, confidentiality should be addressed, and a warm, empathetic, and compassionate environment should be provided. All records are to be kept in an orderly fashion and moral and ethical values should be followed (American Psychological Association (APA), 2010). This is essential to initiating treatment with any client, especially one that has major depression with suicidal ideations; moreover, this relationship should be nourished with trust, honesty, as well as maintains the ethical and moral requirements of the American Psychological Association. This professionalism and trust will be vital to a working relationship with honesty from Joe, as well as his willingness to be honest, and open himself up to another individual, especially a
The mental health assessment is a crucial part in everyday nursing care as it evaluates an individual’s mental condition to assess for risk factors of mental illnesses and provide optimal care and treatment. Mental health is described as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” (CDC) If the patient not mentally healthy, they can develop mentally illnesses, which can affect treatment and the disease process of physical ailments because without mental health a person cannot be completely healthy. “Suicide Risk Assessment in High Risk Adolescents” is a nursing article that outlines suicide risk factors and prevention strategies for assist nurses in performing mental health assessments. Suicide, the act of
My family started looking into nursing homes. It took us weeks before finally deciding. Unfortunately he will have to stay there until he improves, both mentally and physically.
I do not believe that Joe is at risk of suicide when looking at the SAD PEARSONS model. Joe does have some factors sex, age, and possibly depression. Joe is showing signs of depression, which could also be in relation to suicide they include detachment, isolation, dropping grades, cigarettes, recklessness, and violent behavior. I would go about assessing the risk by using the SAD PERSONS model. I would listen very closely to the things he says. I would make sure to ask him how his school and home life are. What I would do if the client started to become suicidal is approaching the topic with Joe. I would ask Joe if he ever thinks about harming himself. I would ask if he ever had thoughts about wanting to end his own life. I would not ignore any of the warning signs that Joe is representing I would address them immediately. Joe insists that he is fine and that his parents are overreacting, but I would stay on top of the issues. I would try to address the underlying reasons for his new behaviors to reduce chances of riskier behaviors and increased drug
Another complication in analysing causes of suicide is the variation between cases. Some will be clearly planned events, with finances and family situations adjusted beforehand, notes written. Others will be on the spur of the moment, with difficulty establishing whether it was deliberate or accidental. Some will be violent, immediate acts whilst others will be drawn out affairs with low lethality (dependent on availablilty of help). Most importantly, some individuals will not succeed – or chillingly, not at first. One of the greatest predictors for completed suicide is attempted previous suici...
Assessment is used as a basis of identifying problems, planning interventions, evaluating and diagnosing clients. Assessment involves identifying statements; actions and procedures to help individuals, groups, couples and families make progress in the counseling environment. Although counselors have the opportunity to limit their scope of practice with respect to modalities, theories, and types of clients, a counselor cannot function without an understanding of the processes and procedures of assessment in counseling. Formal and informal help counselors more accurately assess client issues, create case conceptualizations and select effective empirically proven therapies. The focus of assessments is on gathering information. Thus testing is a way in which counselors construct a measure of psychology through instruments or specified procedures to obtain valid and reliable methods in assessing a client. Counselor uses established scientific procedures, relevant standards and current professional knowledge
Getting to know your client will only help you to better know how you can help them, and
I would not force my client into talking if they aren't ready but discuss when their comfortable whenever they are ready in disclosing. Since I am aware of my background of suicidal and know what could be done to help those with suicidal tendencies I would do everything I can to help my client feel protected and safe. I would ask my client more about them and find out if their situation because I would not want them at risk of harm. Therefore, my awareness and reflection will not influence my work with a client that is suicidal. I will strive to assist helping the client to make sure they are not harming themselves, when did the suicidal thoughts begin, do they have a safety plan created, who they have in their support system, and what they can describe to me they like to do as their interests. All of this would be beneficial to me when assisting the client when finding out that they are suicidal since they are the one at risk of harm. I would try not put my influences of my past assist working with the client. Since I truly believe that each one person that comes in that seeks help deserves a chance turn their life around. Also, I wouldn't want them to feel that their personal experiences of religion and culture will intervene with our relationship when they disclose to me that they feel this