Assessment and Diagnosis “Under the Gun”

For this discussion, you will assume the role of a clinical or counseling psychologist and diagnose a hypothetical client.  Begin by reviewing the PSY650 Week Two Case Studies document and select one of the clients to diagnose.

In your initial post, compare the assessments typically used by clinical and counseling psychologists, and explain which assessment techniques (e.g., tests, surveys, interviews, client records, observational data) you might use to aid in your diagnosis of your selected client. Describe any additional information you would need to help formulate your diagnosis, and propose specific questions you might ask the client in order to obtain this information from him or her. Identify which theoretical orientation you would use with this client and explain how this orientation might influence the assessment and/or diagnostic process. Using the DSM-5 manual, propose a diagnosis for the client in the chosen case study.

Analyze the case and your agency’s required timeline for diagnosing from an ethical perspective. Considering the amount of information you currently have for your client, explain whether or not it is ethical to render a diagnosis within the required timeframe. Evaluate the case and describe whether or not it is justifiable in this situation to render a diagnosis in order to obtain a third party payment.