Please read the case study below and respond to the questions in a Word document. Each question should be answered in approximately 2 – 3 paragraphs (unless otherwise stated) or you may use bullet points however please be sure to answer each piece of the question as succinctly and fully as possible. You are to use academic sources such as text books and scholarly articles to support your responses. Please cite and reference in APA (7th edition) publication style.
Case Study
As a counselor at a community agency, you are in your intake session with a new client. When conducting your intake, here is a summary of the information that you have gathered so far:
Ricky is an engaging client. He is 17 years old, but his parents treat him like a child. His mom works at the school district he attends, and she is constantly checking in on him. I imagine he must feel like his life is being controlled, but he didn’t express any anger toward his parents in the intake. Ricky has Cerebral Palsy (CP), which was diagnosed shortly after birth. He has trouble using the right side of his body, he uses a wheelchair, his speech is sometimes affected, and he seems to be self-conscious about saliva. However, he consistently uses himself as the punchline to a joke, whether it’s his CP or his Latin(x) identity. Ricky is a mandated client because he just received an Operating Under the Influence (OUI) charge about a month ago. He was drinking with friends. He also reports having trouble getting out of bed some mornings and has negative thoughts at times that life is not worth living. At present, Ricky does not report any suicidal ideations.
When you began the intake, his parents attended the first part and they just spoke for him the whole time. I asked them to give Ricky and I some time individually, but they at first refused. I had to indicate to them the importance of confidentiality and the clinic policy before they agreed to give Ricky and I time alone in session. Be careful – I think they might want to be a part of Ricky’s sessions going forward.
Ricky really likes video games and wants to major in software engineering or something in college so he can create them. He is really outgoing once he gets comfortable, but it can be uncomfortable hearing him make demeaning jokes about himself.
Clinical Questions
- What are the presenting issues with this client?
- How would your theoretical orientation conceptualize Ricky?
- If you were a group leader, for which counseling group would Ricky be appropriate?
- What human development and/or cultural identity concerns need to be addressed with this client/his parents?
- What ACA ethical issues do you see attached to this case?
- Describe at least two assessments that you could use to help diagnose Ricky.
- What diagnosis(es) would you give to Ricky? (please provide
[a] Diagnostic code and label;
[b] Diagnostic criteria [Please refer to DSM-5 for specific guidelines] and provide the criteria used to reach your diagnosis, including descriptions of Ricky’s signs and symptoms;
[c] Discuss two [2] available treatments for the disorder(s) and provide information on their effectiveness).
8. What would a counseling treatment plan look like for this client? What are three long-term (can be met in one year) goals that would benefit Ricky? List two specific short-term (can be met in 90 days) goals that will help Ricky fulfill each of his long-term goals.
9. Describe how the knowledge you obtained in the specialty classes you have taken (foundations, clinical seminar, trauma and crisis, etc.) would help Ricky’s treatment?
10. What referrals would you make for Ricky and/or his parents, if any?
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