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My area of study is Applied Behavioral Science. After
college I am not 100% sure what I want to do with my degree but if I decide
to work in this field I will first have to go back to school and receive more
training to be a Clinical Psychologist. I would be interested in
concentrating in the area of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for patients with
Insomnia and OCD. These are the two areas that interest me most.
In the area of Clinical Psychology we progress most
through evidence based practices. In this area psychologist assess the
patient and figure out what the issue is, what caused it and what it is the
patient is seeking to get out of treatment. “A knowledge of research skills
supplemented by appropriate theory will allow a practitioner to provide objective
evidence that an intervention is likely to be effective and will produce the
outcomes that are predicted” (Davey, 2011). From there the therapist will
research what has worked in the past with other patients and proceed with a
tailored plan for the individual. There may be times where a Clinical
Psychologist will have some trial and error which is how the field ultimately
progresses through evidence based practices.
An example is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
(CBT-I) is used based on evidence of what has consistently worked with other
individuals. Creating a good pattern of sleep hygiene is effective in
treating Insomnia. Knowing this a therapist can use the same techniques with
another individual and more than likely achieve the same outcome as what they
have seen in the past. There may be times where a technique used to treat one
disorder may work for another and by trial and error psychologists can find
new treatments.
Davey, Graham. (2011). Applied Psychology. John
Wiley & Sons, (UK).
Reponse 3
Karen is suffering from Major Depression. According to our
text depression is a mood disorder involving emotional, motivational,
behavioral, physical and cognitive systems, which Karen is experiencing all
of these symptoms. The emotional experiences of depressed individuals
are usually restricted to negative ones and these are often described as sad,
hopeless, miserable dejected and discouraged. Depressed individuals
exhibit a range of motivational deficits, including a loss of interest of
daily activities or hobbies. The most disabling symptoms of Major Depression
is the cognitive features their thinking. Karen is having suicidal
thoughts she doesn’t care about herself or about the world around her.
Karen should be medicated with an antidepressant, with weekly visits of
out patient therapy, with mindfulness base cognitive therapy.
Examine how you would respond personally as a mental health professional and
what your ethical duties are.
1. I must act in the best interests of services users.
2. I must respect the confidentiality of service users.
3. I must keep high standards of personal conduct.
4. I must my knowledge and skills up to date on all patients.
Davey, Graham (2011) Applied Psychology
Response 4
Karen confides in you that she feels “down” all the time.
She feels hopeless, finds no enjoyment in life (sleep, food, sex, friends,
etc.) and is having thoughts of suicide. Based on your study this week,
address each of the following:
* Identify if
Karen is suffering from major depression or bipolar depression.
* Defend your
position with support from the reading noting definitions and key features.
* Indicate what
form of treatment would best serve Karen based on the literature.
* Examine how
you would respond personally as a mental health professional and your ethical
duties are.
Karen is suffering from Major Depression
because she has negative beliefs and an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness.
She is having thoughts of suicide and she finds no joy in anything else. I
define my position with the info I get from my textbook, which defines Major
Depression as, (being associated with negative biases in ways of thinking and
processing information). Davey, G. (2001).
I
believe medicine is necessary as well as Social Skills training and some
Mindful based cognitive therapy. (MBCT). As a mental health worker, I would
talk about life with Karen and make an attempt to help her connect with the
realities of the world. (We all experience challenges, and distress that will
have a psychological impact on us). Davey, G. (2001). I believe it should be
my moral duty to do whatever I can to stop her from taking her own life, and
find some type of happiness in life, something that is important to her
enough to elevate her spirit and give her a reason to want to live a quality
life.
Davey, G. (2001) Applied Psychology .
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