Week 2:

Assignment 2: Practicum – Week 2 Journal Entry

Learning Objectives

STUDENTS WILL:

Apply documentation skills to examine family therapy sessions *

Develop diagnoses for clients receiving family psychotherapy *

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

* The Assignment related to this Learning Objective is introduced this week and submitted in Week 3.

Select two clients you observed or counseled this week during a family therapy session. Note: The two clients you select must have attended the same family session.

Then, address in your Practicum Journal the following:

Using the Group Therapy Progress Note in this week’s Learning Resources, document the family session.

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

Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), explain and justify your diagnosis for each client.

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

Support your approach with evidence-based literature.

Family Assessment and Phases of Family Therapy

A family’s patterns of behavior influences [sic] the individual and therefore may need to be a part of the treatment plan. In marriage and family therapy, the unit of treatment isn’t just the person – even if only a single person is interviewed – it is the set of relationships in which the person is imbedded.

—American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, “About Marriage and Family Therapists”

When issues arise within a family unit, the family often presents with one member identified as the “problem.” However, you will frequently find that the issue is not necessarily the “problem client,” but rather dysfunctional family patterns and relationships. To better understand such patterns and relationships and develop a family treatment plan, it is essential that the practitioner appropriately assess all family members. This requires you to have a strong foundation in family assessment and therapy.

This week, as you explore family assessment and therapy, you assess client families presenting for psychotherapy. You also develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy and consider the legal and ethical implications of counseling these clients.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in theCourse Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

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

Chapter 12, “Family Therapy” (pp. 429–468)

Nichols, M. (2014).
The essentials of family therapy (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Chapter 3, “Basic Techniques of Family Therapy” (pp. 29–48)

Chapter 4, “The Fundamental Concepts of Family Therapy” (pp. 49–68)

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

Note: It is highly recommended that you use this resource as a reference guide throughout the course. Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

L’Abate, L. (2015). Highlights from 60 years of practice, research, and teaching in family therapy.
American Journal of Family Therapy, 43(2), 180–196. doi:10.1080/01926187.2014.1002367

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Mojta, C., Falconier, M. K., & Huebner, A. J. (2014). Fostering self-awareness in novice therapists using internal family systems therapy.
American Journal of Family Therapy, 42(1), 67–78. doi:10.1080/01926187.2013.772870

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Nichols, M., & Tafuri, S. (2013). Techniques of structural family assessment: A qualitative analysis of how experts promote a systemic perspective.
Family Process, 52(2), 207–215. doi:10.1111/famp.12025

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Papero, D. V. (2014). Assisting the two-person system: An approach based on the Bowen theory. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 35(4), 386–397. doi:10.1002/anzf.1079

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Document: Group Therapy Progress Note

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a).
Hernandez family> Sessions 1—6 [Video file]. Author: Baltimore, MD.

Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2006).
Tools and techniques for family therapy. [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.

Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 52 minutes.

NURS6650 Walden University Week 2 Family Therapy Sessions Journal

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