DSM-5-TR Self-Reflection: Third Assignment
DSM-5-TR Self-Reflection: Third Assignment
Mental Health Counseling and Studies, Liberty University
DSM-5-TR Self-Reflection: Third Assignment
I chose Substance-related and Addictive Disorders for this assignment.
Considering your own worldview and belief system, why do you believe people develop the
diagnosis you chose to discuss?
I believe people develop Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders for many complex reasons.
This is a difficult disorder to understand because there are so many factors that contribute to its
development. Some people grow up seeing substance use at home and begin to think it’s
normal. Many of my friends had parents who used alcohol, and they ended up doing the same.
In Eastern Europe, where I’m from, alcohol use is often not seen as an addiction but rather as a
normal part of life. People often use substances when they need a break, like parents do and
unfortunately, society tends to see that as normal. When it comes to drugs or medications,
however, people are judged more harshly, even though these substances can be just as harmful.
In the end, both alcohol and drugs can destroy lives, and recovery is extremely difficult.
Without self-awareness and realization, addiction cannot be treated successfully.
• What potential biases or beliefs arise for you regarding clients who struggle with the
diagnosis you chose to discuss?
Addiction is difficult for me to understand. I can’t fully understand how someone can’t just put
it down and move on. I recognize that judgment sometimes arises on my part as well. I’ve never
been a user, and I rarely drink, so I don’t think I could work effectively with clients struggling
with addiction since I might have trouble relating to their experiences.
Years ago, my good friend died from alcohol use, and that experience was a wake-up call for
me. It taught me to be more empathetic toward clients with addiction, but I still don’t believe
I’m the right person to treat them directly.
What will you do in the future to mitigate these biases?
I would be more mindful about this and continue to educate myself further about these
disorders. I would try to step into their shoes and understand where they’re coming from. I
know I don’t need to live their experiences to be understanding and empathetic. Sometimes,
kindness and truly listening can work wonders.
• Identify at least one code from the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of
Ethics and discuss how the code is relevant to the discussion of your chosen diagnosis.
The relevant code is A.1.a. Primary Responsibility, which states that “The primary responsibility
of counselors is to respect the dignity and promote the welfare of clients” (ACA, 2014). This
code reminds me that I am here for my client’s well-being. It encourages me to leave my biases
and judgments outside the door and to focus on helping and guiding my clients with
compassion and without judgment.
• Considering the Dispositions Descriptions from Module 1, identify at least one
Disposition that you plan to cultivate to work with clients who display the diagnosis you
chose.
DSM-5-TR Self-Reflection: Third Assignment
The disposition I choose is E – Demonstrates Emotional Regulation, managing anxiety and
expresses feelings appropriately and effectively. Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-9
• Considering the ASERVIC Spiritual and Religious Competencies, identify at least one
competency that you plan to cultivate to work with clients who display the diagnosis you
chose.
I would also cultivate ASERVIC Spiritual and Religious Competency #3, The professional
counselor actively explores their own attitudes, beliefs, and values about spirituality and or/
religion.
This competency helps me stay self-aware and reminds me to check in with myself during
counseling sessions to ensure that I don’t make clients uncomfortable or unintentionally
misguide them with my own beliefs.
References:
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA Code of Ethics.
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ ethics/2014-aca-
code-of-ethics.pdf
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling. (2024).
Competencies for addressing spiritual and religious issues in counseling. https://aservic.org/wp-
content/uploads/2024/05/2024_ASERVICSpiritual-Competencies.pdf
Disposition Description (2015) Pdf
