In this Assignment you will work with a client of your choosing and apply the skills that have been studied throughout the course in evaluating, diagnosing and writing a treatment plan for your client. For your “client” in this Assignment you may choose from a movie or you may choose the client described below.
Client Scenario: Donovan called your office to make an appointment for treatment for his
cocaine use. He stated on the phone call that he knows it is a problem and he needs to quit,
but that he fears it will be difficult because he has tried to quit before and was unable to
“stay off of it.” When Donovan arrives for the first appointment you learn that his reason for
coming was significantly influenced by his wife who is quite concerned about his use. He
states that it is getting expensive but he works hard and makes good money and that this is
his one “vice.” He also states it is not causing other problems so he does not really see what
the big deal is. However, he emphasizes that his marriage is important to him and that his
wife has threatened to divorce him if he does not quit.
During the initial session you learn that Donovan was raised by both biological parents.
They are still living and still married. He describes his upbringing as “ideal” and states that
his parents were good hard working people who loved him and provided a stable home in a
middle class neighborhood. He identified no childhood trauma or significant loss.
Donovan admitted to experimental use of alcohol and marijuana during high school. He
stated that he only tried marijuana a few times and did not like it because it caused him to
want to eat and sleep. Similarly he said that he did not drink much because his grades were
important to him and he was working toward a scholarship and to qualify for a “good”
college.
Donovan did earn a scholarship to a private university and did well during his first two years.
During his junior year the coursework became more difficult and he was finding it difficult to
maintain his desired GPA. It was during this year that a fellow student introduced him to
cocaine “to help him study.” He states that from the first use cocaine “scared him” because
he liked the effects too much and knew it was going to be trouble. His use continued
throughout college, mainly during exam times.
Donovan has since become employed as a high level manager for a large corporation. He
stated that he enjoys his work but that it is demanding and time consuming. He states that
the cocaine helps him meet the demands of this job. He states that his work requires long
hours and that although his wife says she does not like his cocaine use, he believes that the
long hours away from home is what is really upsetting her. He noted that she is also
concerned about his health because the pressures of his job have been causing stress
which has led to high blood pressure. As he discusses his wife and his perspective of her
concerns his demeanor and tone change. He eventually states that he does not know if he
should even be here and that perhaps the marriage is not worth salvaging because she
nags and complains too much. He notes that the people at his job understand him because
they have achieved a similar level of success. He then reiterates the successes he has
achieved academically and in the business world.
Assignment Guidelines
Using the information from the movie or case scenario, discuss the following regarding your client:
•How would you intervene with your client?
•What will you use to gather the information about your client (i.e., what screening and assessment tests would be most appropriate for this client and why).
•Write a 4-6 page paper describing how you would develop and proceed with an evaluation of your client.
•Be sure to include all portions of the assessment process and to carry the evaluation all the way through to the conclusion (diagnosis).
•In your discussion of the diagnosis please list specific DSM-5 diagnostic criteria met by the client, along with the reason that the client meets each stated criterion.
•Finally, based on the number of criteria met by the client identify the severity rating for the client’s diagnosis.
Following your diagnosis, develop a comprehensive treatment plan taking into account a continuity of care approach and including models of treatment studied up to this point in the course. Be sure to base your treatment recommendations on information from the assessment.
Your paper should be
in APA style
12 point font
double-spaced
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