Week 6 Discussion Response to Classmates

Please no plagiarism and make sure you are able to access all resource on your own before you bid. Main references come from Van Wormer, K., & Davis, D. R. (2018) and/or American Psychiatric Association. (2013). You need to have scholarly support for any claim of fact or recommendation regarding treatment. I have also attached my discussion rubric so you can see how to make full points. Please respond to all 3 of my classmates separately with separate references for each response. You need to have scholarly support for any claim of fact or recommendation like peer-reviewed, professional scholarly journals. If you draw from the internet, I encourage you to use websites from the major mental health professional associations (American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, etc.) or federal agencies (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), etc.). I need this completed by 04/06/19 at 8am.Expectation:Responses to peers. Note that this is measured by both the quantity and quality of your posts. Does your post contribute to continuing the discussion? Are your ideas supported with citations from the learning resources and other scholarly sources? Note that citations are expected for both your main post and your response posts. Note also, that, although it is often helpful and important to provide one or two sentence responses thanking somebody or supporting them or commiserating with them, those types of responses do not always further the discussion as much as they check in with the author. Such responses are appropriate and encouraged; however, they should be considered supplemental to more substantive responses, not sufficient by themselves.Read a your colleagues’ postings. Respond to your colleagues’ postings.Respond in one or more of the following ways:· Ask a probing question.· Share an insight gained from having read your colleague’s posting.· Offer and support an opinion.· Validate an idea with your own experience.· Make a suggestion.· Expand on your colleague’s posting.1. Classmate (J. Car)Overview of Motivational InterviewingIn order to best serve my client Maurice, I have selected Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a primary treatment approach. According to Forman & Moyers (2019), after over 200 clinical trials, MI has proven effective as both a stand-alone treatment as well as post treatment method of enriching the positive elements of other therapeutic approaches. Maurice has been struggling with an addiction to heroin for 8 years, in and out of inpatient treatment three times and now worried that his family will completely abandon him after this latest incident. However, according to the Transtheoretical Model or Stages of Change, Maurice is currently moving beyond the Contemplation stage and thus MI may be a helpful strengths-based model to lead him toward the life he desires. The core tenants of MI focus on helping a client renew self-control by examining suffering and negative consequences of addiction, striving to help clients cling to an intrinsic motivation for and vow to change (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018). Additionally, Maurice may be struggling with ambivalence with regard to making big changes in his life, and MI will allow him to examine the many levels of motivation: desire, ability, reasons for change, need, and commitment to change. Examining costs and benefits of stopping the use of heroin may assist Maurice in overcoming ambivalence. Once he has established language focused on the decision to make changes, even experimenting with several small changes between sessions, he may be ready to take further steps toward treatment of his own volition.Strengths and WeaknessesMI may not be a strong contender for a treatment approach with a client who is resistant to or in denial of a need for change, especially if his or her addiction is contributing to significant physical health or lifestyle risks for him or herself, friends, family, and the community at large. The desire for change is a huge element in the implementation of MI, and a client who does not move past ambivalence may continue to inflict serious harm on him or herself. (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018). A strength of MI is the therapist-client relationship, focusing on creating an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding which will influence the client enough that he or she will me more likely to thoughtfully consider their problems (Forman & Moyers, 2019). In the case of Maurice, he is already feeling very isolated and fearful that not only his roommates will abandon him, but also his parents and brothers. With its focus on expressing empathy, non-confrontational approach, reflective responses, and support of self-efficacy, Maurice may begin to take ownership of his problems as opposed to the past perception that his addiction was completely out of his control.Meeting Treatment GoalsTwo goals for treatment with Maurice would be to help him attain measurable instances of self-control with regard to heroin use, as discerned by him, and to examine his levels of self-efficacy and continual comparison to his siblings, helping him to examine previously unrecognized strengths which may contribute to the life he desires and potentially the end of his addiction to heroin. MI would contribute toward meeting these goals by examining the negative addictive patterns in Maurice’s life and how social influences, biology, or emotion may have contributed to the beginning of his heroin use (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018). Examining the reason he has to change, potentially wanting to be closer with his family, may be an enormous source of hope and a catalyst in the commitment to change, which can only be achieved through the client’s own decision. Empathetically building a therapeutic alliance with Maurice will contribute to the process of uncovering what might be hindering him from making the changes to his life that he desires, and having a positive relationship with a counselor and the opportunity to hear reflected back what strengths he or she sees in him may be incredibly empowering, possibly even the first time he has heard any of them named aloud.Benefits of Group TreatmentThough limited research has been achieved regarding group motivational interviewing (GMI), it has been associated with higher levels of Change Talk (CT) in treatment of substance disorders (Shorey, Martino, Lamb, LaRowe, & Santa Ana, 2015). Group treatment is common and highly impactful in 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, as it provides accountability and solidarity in choosing to address addiction. GMI promotes group cohesion, a focus on hope, and renewing the client’s sense of self-respect, all of which are highly attractive factors for individuals considering therapy, resulting in a high retention rate and lowered use of substances (Shorey et al., 2015). Change Talk is a goal of both individual and group Motivational Interviewing and though GMI necessitates more empirical evidence of effectiveness, both treatment methods continue to be implemented by counselors due to the client-centered, hope-instilling qualities.ReferencesForman, D. P., & Moyers, T. B. (2019). With odds of a single session, motivational interviewing is a good bet. Psychotherapy, 56(1), 62–66. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/pst0000199Shorey, R. C., Martino, S., Lamb, K. E., LaRowe, S. D., & Santa Ana, E. J. (2015). Change Talk and Relatedness in Group Motivational Interviewing: A Pilot Study. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 51, 75–81. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2014.11.003Van Wormer, K., & Davis, D. R. (2018). Addiction treatment: A strengths perspective (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.2. Classmate (C. Ree)The treatment approach I elected with the case study of Shanelle is Motivational Interviewing (MI).  MI is a client-centered, directive therapeutic style to enhance readiness for change by helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence (Hettema & Miller, 2005). It is client centered because all the benefits and consequences of making a change are elicited from the client (Van Womer & Davis, 2018).  I selected this treatment modality since Shanelle is displaying a diminished capacity for self-control over a period of time and this method strengthens a person’s own motivation and commitment to change. Shanelle has two DUI’s, she has lost a job because of the results of drinking, and her family is worried about her drinking; as well as Shanelle.  Yet she remains convinced that her drinking is not so bad and has not caused problems in her life.  MI seems to be a comprehensive approach to help Shanelle since it focuses on stages of change. For instance, MI understands that one can be in a state of change like having a desire, ability, reasons, need, and commitment to change.  With these changes or stages in mind MI seems suitable for Shanelle’s scuffle with making a change.One Strength and One Weakness of Motivational InterviewingA strength that I found with Motivational Interviewing is MI combines a compassionate and empathic counseling style with a consciously directive method for resolving uncertainty in the direction of change.  For instance, MI practitioners use techniques to enhance a person’s desire to change like avoiding arguing or expressing empathy (Van Womer & Davis, 2018).  A weakness of MI is across a growing array of problem areas includes MI generally showing small to medium effects in improving health outcomes and Hettema and Miller (2005) discuss in their article how increased client change talk would predict behavior change and how frequency of change talk statements was unrelated to subsequent behavioral outcomes which obviously posed a serious problem for the theory of MI.Two Treatment GoalsFor Shanelle one treatment goal would be to build a framework for intrinsic motivation to change. When this goal is reached Shanelle will be able to decrease her resistance to change and increase her change talk.  Another treatment goal for Shanelle would be to evoke her own motivations for, and commitment to change.  MI would serve groups as well as individual.  In a group setting Shanelle would benefit since she will be exposed to others and their ideas about change. In an individual setting Shanelle will be able to dialogue about reasons she is interested in changing.  Also group treatment could help this client deal with feelings when they resurface. After MI for instance, Shanelle will be faced with the commit she made to discontinue the behavior. Group will give her the space she needs to be heard and to hear those who are grappling with an addition like she is. This participation could help her with relapse and continuing on the path to stay committed to overcoming her addiction.ReferencesHettema, J., Steele, J., & Miller, W. R. (2005). Motivational interviewing. Annu. Rev. Clin. Psychol., 1, 91-111.Van Wormer, K., & Davis, D. R. (2018). Addiction treatment: A strengths perspective (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.3. Classmate (A. Mc)John, a 38-year-old Euro-American, has been ordered to seek counseling by his workplace after stopping at a casino during a cross-country run; he is a long-distance truck driver. Though he has a place he calls “home”, he spends most of his time on the road. Due to his work, he does not have very many friends, he has no romantic relationships, and he has alienated family members and close friends who he owes a substantial amount of money. John admits that he enjoys gambling and engages in this activity whenever he can, but he does not believe this to be problematic. He does disclose that gambling has been a causal factor in breakups and in preventing him from reaching financial goals.Treatment Approach: Motivational Interviewing (MI)With the information that John has provided, it is evident that, at the very least, he is on the path to a gambling disorder diagnosis. In accordance with the DSM-5, John has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship due to gambling (A.8.) and has relied on others to provide him money (A.9.) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These criteria account for two of the four necessary to be clinically diagnosed with the disorder. Contrary to John’s disclosures, he does not believe that his behavior is problematic and is unable to identify any motivation to do so. Therefore, motivational interviewing may be a beneficial treatment approach for this case study.Motivational interviewing is a client-centered approach intended to be used with ambivalent clients, like John. The approach utilizes open-ended questions which seek out the client’s desire, ability, reasons, need, and commitment to change. Techniques used to enhance a client’s motivation through this approach are (1) express empathy, (2) develop discrepancy, (3) avoid argumentation, (3) roll with resistance, and (4) support self-efficacy (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018).Strength of MIOne strength of this approach is that it is non-confrontational and client-centered. All the “change talk” comes directly from the client, not the counselor. This is especially important when dealing with ambivalence, because there would likely be a lot of resistance if the counselor were to “[try to] get the client to admit they have a problem” (p. 328), as stated in Van Wormer and Davis (2018). This approach facilitates the client’s discovery of their own motivations for discontinuing a behavior.Weakness of MIOne weakness of this approach is that it is not as effective when there are co-occurring disorders present (American Addiction Centers, 2016). With further inquiry, John may meet the criteria for gambling disorder, however, it is also important to ask questions and use assessments to determine his level of depression, if any. John has isolated himself from other people and does not truly have a home, both of which could lead to feelings of hopelessness. Ultimately, it is difficult to find motivation in a client who has not been treated for an underlying disorder, such as depression.Treatment GoalsOne treatment goal for John might be to decrease the amount of time he spends gambling. This goal would become more specific depending on new information and disclosures. Motivational interviewing will eventually require questions which will elicit a client’s commitment to change. During this time, John and his counselor can create a reasonable and achievable goal for him to strive for, such as the amount of time per day (per week, per month) spent gambling. A second treatment goal for John might be to reconnect with those whom he owes money to. This goal can be addressed after John is able to identify why he needs to change, another step included in motivational interviewing. One reason he might need to change is to rebuild his relationships and pay his debts. Overall, the motivational interviewing process will guide John and the counselor in creating the goals and provide John with the intrinsic motivation to reach these goals.Group versus Individual TreatmentIt is important to consider whether the client’s counseling process should include individual treatment, group treatment, or both. There is not a lot of information available which discusses the motivational interviewing approach in a group setting, however, there is evidence which suggests that it can be done (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018). The counselor working with John might not suggest group treatment in the beginning, because he has been isolated from others for so long. He will probably be more open and feel safer in an individual treatment environment at first. After John has made some progress, adding group treatment might be beneficial for the same reasons—he has been isolated from his support system for awhile (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018). Group therapy will help John by supporting relapse prevention and continuum of care. In other words, working alongside other individuals with the same goal (e.g. abstinence) can add external motivation to complete the desired goal, preventing relapse. Further, individuals in group settings can become each other’s friends and motivators when group therapy has finished.ReferencesAmerican Addiction Centers. (2016). Motivational interviewing in addiction treatment.Retrieved fromhttps://americanaddictioncenters.org/therapy-treatment/motivational- interviewingAmerican Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mentaldisorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.Van Wormer, K., & Davis, D. R. (2018). Addiction treatment: A strengths perspective (4thBottom of FormRequired ResourcesVan      Wormer, K., & Davis, D. R. (2018). Addiction treatment: A      strengths perspective (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.Chapter       8, “Strengths- and Evidence-Based Helping Strategies” (pp. 313-351)American      Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual      of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.“Substance-Related       and Addictive Disorders” (pp. 481–589)Davies,      G., Elison, S., Ward, J., & Laudet, A. (2015). The role of lifestyle      in perpetuating substance use disorder: The Lifestyle Balance Model. Substance      Abuse Treatment, Prevention, & Policy, 10(1), 1–8.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Martin,      G. W., & Rehm, J. (2012). The effectiveness of psychosocial modalities      in the treatment of alcohol problems in adults: A review of the      evidence. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(6), 350–358.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.Document: Week      6 Case Studies (PDF)

Discussion Reply

The Concept of Abnormality and the BibleWhile the concept of abnormality may seem simple enough to identify at face value, in reality, it is a complex topic with ambiguous boundaries. Nolen-Hoeksema (2020) describes psychological abnormality as falling on a continuum, with various factors involved in identifying it such as cultural, socioeconomic, age, and more which make an impact on how deviated from the norm a behavior or state of being is. Furthermore, there are four dimensions, known as the four Ds of abnormality which attempt to narrow down what precisely makes a mental state or behavior abnormal. These are: dysfunction, distress, deviance, and dangerousness. Nolan-Hoeskema (2020) indicates that higher levels of the four Ds found in behavior in comparison to culture, age, gender, and more help professionals recognize abnormality in an individual.Factors and triggers can be biological, social, or psychological in nature and different combinations can form disorders (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2020). Some psychopathological disorders include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictions, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amongst many others. Wielgosz et al (2019) note that practicing mindfulness meditation can have a notable positive impact on psychological abnormalities such as these.The Bible often addresses those displaying behavior that is considered abnormal in some fashion, often focusing on sin. From the perspective of the authors of the Bible, however, abnormality is not necessarily permanent. For example, in Mark 2:13-17, Jesus willingly eats and drinks with tax collectors, who were considered to be sinners by societal norms at the time (King James Bible, 1769/2017). He did this with the intent to help them repent and improve their “abnormal” behaviors, as a doctor would tend to the sick. In modern western society, tax collectors are not seen as sinners, despite being perceived as inconvenient, to put it mildly. Jesus teaches that imperfect humans must be looked at as exactly that – imperfect, but with the ability to improve with the help of love and compassion. The Bible also describes how abnormalities rely heavily on culture and time period. It would not be frowned upon today, like it would have been 2,000 years ago in Israel, to eat with someone who is employed to call in debt because that person is perceived as just doing his/her job. In summary, the Bible does address the existence of abnormalities, but it does so with the understanding that abnormalities, for the most part, are reversible or redeemable.ReferencesKing James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/(Original work published 1769)Nolen-Hoeksema. (2020). Abnormal Psychology (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.Wielgosz, J., Goldberg, S. B., Kral, T. R. A., Dunne, J. D., & Davidson, R. J. (2019).Mindfulness meditation and psychopathology. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15(1), 285-316. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-093423(WC with references: 399)(WC without references: 450)

Discussion answer:

Is the Measure of Consistency a State of Mind?In your unit readings from the Psychological Testing and Assessment text, you read about three sources of error variance that occur in testing and assessment. These include test construction, test administration, and test scoring and interpretation. Additionally, other sources of error may be suspect. You were also introduced to reliability coefficients, which provide information about these sources of error variance on a test (see Table 5-4).The following reliability coefficients were obtained from studies on a new test, THING, purporting to measure a new construct (that is, Something). Alternate forms of the test were also developed and examined in subsequent studies published in the peer-reviewed journals. The alternate test forms were titled THING 1 and THING 2. (Remember to refer back to your Psychological Testing and Assessment text for information about using and interpreting a coefficient of reliability.)Internal consistency reliability coefficient = .92Alternate forms reliability coefficient = .82Test-retest reliability coefficient = .50In your post:Describe what these scores mean.Interpret these results individually in terms of the information they provide on sources of error variance.Synthesize all of these interpretations into a final evaluation about this test’s utility or usefulness.Explain whether these data are acceptable.Explain under what conditions they may not be acceptable and under what conditions, if any, they may be appropriate.(Discussion Guidelines)Discussion question instructions will be presented for each question as it is posted. Your discussion answers must be thorough and expansive. Be sure to answer every question substantially using excellent integrative material from course readings and research. Usually a good answer to a set of discussion questions is about 1-2 pages (three to four substantial paragraphs for a total of 500 words…..NOTincluding the questions or references; only your answer). It is HIGHLY encouraged to conduct a word count before submitting your discussion answer. One or two short paragraphs or one or two sentences per paragraphwill notmeet the rigor requirements for this class.Discussion question instructions will be presented for each question as it is posted. Your discussion answers must be thorough and expansive. Be sure to answer every question substantially using excellent integrative material from course readings and research. Usually a good answer to a set of discussion questions is about 1-2 pages (three to four substantial paragraphs for a total of 500 words…..NOTincluding the questions or references; only your answer). It is HIGHLY encouraged to conduct a word count before submitting your discussion answer. One or two short paragraphs or one or two sentences per paragraphwill notmeet the rigor requirements for this class.Support all work (even reflections and article reviews) with excellent integration of material. This class places a heavy emphasis on how well learners use resources to supplement and support their work. The answers to discussion questions are not to be opinion papers, but professionally presented research/course material-based work. Therefore, to be eligible for top grading of your work, each unit discussion answer requires AT LEAST TWO resources/references (one of whichmustbe from the required Cohen, Swerdlik, & Sturman text book) listed at the end of the work. In addition, you must have SEVERAL (three or more) citations in your work that are associated with your references. Each answer to every question must have resource support

Assignment: Kingdon: Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies-6361-wk5Ass

Agenda building is often the first step in your policy practice tasks. Building a solid agenda may well determine the success of the development of a policy proposal and may also determine your success in placing an issue in front of a decision maker.For this Assignment, you evaluate the accuracy of the Kingdon model of policymaking.To prepare: Review Chapter 6 in your text, paying special attention to the section entitled “Three Challenges in Agenda Building.”Submit a 2- to 3-page paper evaluating the accuracy of the Kingdon model in policymaking. Address the following:Discuss the three streams Kingdon has identified where problems originate, and provide your opinion on which one most accurately reflects how and why policies come about.Discuss the assertion that certain kinds of issues receive preferential treatment in problem solution and political streams.Discuss tactics that policy practitioners use within each of the three streams to increase the odds that a specific issue will be placed on decision agendas.Required ReadingsSOCW 6361 WebliographyThese websites will be required throughout the semester. Become familiar with these websites, especially when doing research for your assignments.Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice. (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning Series.Chapter 6, “Committing to an Issue: Building Agendas” (pp. 176-203)Edwards, H. R., & Hoefer, R. (2010). Are social work advocacy groups using Web 2.0 effectively? Journal of Policy Practice, 9(3/4), 220–239.Optional ResourcesMSW home pageUse this link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.