Introduction-Module 5

Introduction-Module 5

In this module, we will focus on the assessment techniques that will facilitate the process of understanding your client’s needs. You will use these skills and techniques to assess your client, their current situation, and their current psychological functioning. That information is then used to further guide the treatment. We will also learn how to develop measurable, behavioral and outcome based treatment planning and goal setting. By developing the skills to work effectively with clients in developing treatment plans and goals that are relevant to the client, you will be able to provide measurable and realistic outcomes for your clients.

Up until this point in the course we have learned about theoretical concepts and ethical standards that drive professional behavior. We have learned about techniques that we can utilize to engage the client. The purpose of learning these skills is ultimately with the goal of developing a clear picture of the client’s current situation and the factors that have led to this situation, with the goal of assisting to improve the quality of another person’s life. To that end, the process of accurately assessing the client’s current situation and life circumstances and identifying the specific needs that the person presents, are crucial in achieving that goal.

There will be cases where those needs will be very clear and simple to identify. There will be other situations where the client may not be clear as to their needs and the situation may be more obscure and difficult to identify. It is at those times when these assessment tools will serve to assist the human services professional in identifying the needs to the client.

Moreover, once the assessment has been completed, the human services professional must be very adept in transferring that information into a relevant, practical and useful treatment plan. This module will educate the student to develop measurable and observable treatment goals with the assistance and consent of the client, which will drive the therapeutic relationship.

By the end of this module, you should have the ability to utilize tools and techniques to effectively and accurately assess a client and utilize that assessment to formulate treatment plan and treatment goals. 

Assignment 5: Understanding the DSM 

Directions: In a 1200-1600 word paper, address the following questions about the DSM

• What is the DSM?  How is it used?
• In the third edition of the DSM changes were made.  What were some of these changes?    
• What is the difference between a monethetic and a polythetic diagnosis?
• What is a GAF and what axis does it go on?
• What does NOS mean?
• What diagnoses go on Axis II?

This paper must:

• have a thesis statement (statement of purpose/intent), must indicate the topics to be covered
• use ONLY professional, objective language. Use objective, formal, not conversational tone/style
• use APA style
• use direct quotes sparingly – work on paraphrasing and appropriate citations for the paraphrased information