Discussion: Counseling Adolescents

The adolescent population is often referred to as “young adults,” but in some ways, this is a misrepresentation. Adolescents are not children, but they are not yet adults either. This transition from childhood to adulthood often poses many unique challenges to working with adolescent clients, particularly in terms of disruptive behavior. In your role, you must overcome these behaviors to effectively counsel clients. For this Discussion, as you examine the Disruptive Behaviors media in this week’s Learning Resources, consider how you might assess and treat adolescent clients presenting with disruptive behavior.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Assess clients presenting with disruptive behavior

· Analyze therapeutic approaches for treating clients presenting with disruptive behavior

· Evaluate outcomes for clients presenting with disruptive behavior

To prepare:

· Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide.

· View the media ( below)Disruptive Behaviors. Select one of the four case studies and assess the client.

· For guidance on assessing the client, refer to pages 137-142 of the Wheeler text in this week’s Learning Resources.

Note: To complete this Discussion, you must assess the client, but you are not required to submit a formal Comprehensive Client Assessment.

Post an explanation of your observations of the client in the case study you selected, including behaviors that align to the criteria in DSM-5. Then, explain therapeutic approaches you might use with this client, including psychotropic medications if appropriate. Finally, explain expected outcomes for the client based on these therapeutic approaches. Support your approach with evidence-based literature

Assignment: Practicum – Week 9 Journal Entry

Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy*

· Analyze legal and ethical implications of counseling clients with psychiatric disorders*

Select a child or adolescent client whom you observed or counseled. Then, address the following in your Practicum Journal:

· Describe the client (without violating HIPAA regulations) and identify any pertinent history or medical information, including prescribed medications.

· Using the DSM-5, explain and justify your diagnosis for this client.

· Explain any legal and/or ethical implications related to counseling this client.

· Support your position with evidence-based literature.

Required Readings

American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

• Standard 5 “Implementation” (pages 52-53)

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

• Chapter 17, “Psychotherapy With Children” (pp.      597–624)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Bass, C., van Nevel, J., & Swart, J. (2014). A comparison between dialectical behavior therapy, mode deactivation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 9(2), 4-8. doi:10.1037/h0100991

Koocher, G. P. (2003). Ethical issues in psychotherapy with adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 59(11), 1247–1256.

McLeod, B. D., Jensen-Doss, A., Tully, C. B., Southam-Gerow, M. A., Weisz, J. R., & Kendall, P. C. (2016). The role of setting versus treatment type in alliance within youth therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(5), 453-464. doi:10.1037/ccp0000081

Zilberstein, K. (2014). The use and limitations of attachment theory in child psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 51(1), 93-103.  doi:10.1037/a0030930

Required Media ( click links below and select one for Discussion)

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Disruptive behaviors – Part 1 [Multimedia file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Disruptive behaviors – Part 2 [Multimedia file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

Walker, R. (n.d.). Making child therapy work [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.

Optional Resources

Bruce, T., & Jongsma, A. (2011). Evidence-based treatment planning for disruptive child and adolescent behavior [Video file]. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.