Counseling Process
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Question 1: Presenting Issues and the Primary Concerns
There are several presenting issues that the client present, but these issues are grouped into one term “mother ability to manage her infant.” It is evident that Mary – the client is not able to manage not only the infant, but also the six years old son called Jamie. Despite the fact that the client presents others issues, we can consider that the most pressing presenting issue is not able to manage her young infant. Lisa is the infant is not able to cope with her mother’s demand or expectations. She is not able to eat well, not able to sit yet her age is permits her to do so, she not able to hear what the mother tells her, and generally not able to conform to the mother’s undertaking at home. According to the client’s presentation of the case, the infant conformity levels are down yet her age is calling for these changes.In addition, there are primary concerns presented by the client; these concerns can be divided into two, those that the child’s present and those presented by the client. The as a worker, it is important to address both the mother’s problems as well as those presented by the children in order to solve the case the client presents. First, the worker should be able to address the developmental problem presented by Lisa. This could be both medical and psychological problem hence should be given the priority, secondly, it is evident that both children in the case present disciplinary problems hence these should be addressed to solve the problem. Other concerns are the mothers; she is seems frustrated, confused, and not able to conform with the issues presented by the kids, the other primary concern is addressing the behavior that Mary has adopted due to her frustration; drinking habits.
Question two: Indicators of Mary’s Mental Health Status
There are various indicators that express the mental health problem faced by Mary. One of the indicators is has uncombed hair. From psychoanalysis theory of social development, one of the signs of mental problem is confusion. Thus, with uncombed hair and the funny manner of clothing are clear signs of confusion hence this can be deduced to be an indicator of mental problem presented by Mary. The other indicator is anger and irritability levels. Based on previous literature, it is evident that individuals with mental problems often exhibit anger and irritability issues. Most of them are always furious and docile to other people and things. For example, they fight people. In this case, Mary is mad with the kids, especially to the infant (Lisa). The other indicator is that Mary is not able to organize herself. She is disorganized to an extent of leaving beer bottles at Lisa’s room. However, this is an indicator of mild mental problem hence straightforward to solve (Miller & Rasmussen, 2010).
How to obtain Additional Information
As a worker, there are four ways that I can obtain additional information from the client. First, I ought to undertake a serious, but friendly interview with the client in order to gain access to her personal information concerning her health problems. In order to gain access to this information, I have to be persuasive and inform the client that without this information it will be hard to help her move over this dilemma. Secondly, I will seek extra information from the ECN (Early Childhood Nurse) since she was the first worker who gains access to the family problem hence she can offer credible information about the child developmental problem. Thirdly, it is important to include Mary’s extended family in these issues. Mary has a past child life hence in before analyzing her current mental problems; it is worth to note if she has this issue in the past of if the issue developed after getting kids. For example, it can be stated that if Mary had this problem since childhood, then it must be a medical, mental problem, but if the problem is because of having a family then is could be a psychological problem. Hence, this extra information is significant to get this difference (Sawyer et al,. 2006). The last method of gaining access to information is by inviting a mental health specialist to diagnose Mary in order to get the information needed.
Question 3: Interventions to Mary’s Situation
There are various interventions to Mary’s situations, but this study will only use three of the methods because of the urgency that the case deserves. Since the case consists of two phases; the Lisa’s childhood developmental problem and Mary’s mental problem, it has to employ mental health training, counseling, and family intervention methods. Since the issue facing the child is more urgent, the family intervention method will be the first cause of action. After taking the child to a health specialist, the ECN nurse, the child has to be taken under custody. At this time, that the family will play this role because Mary will also be under another intervention, which will demand her 100 percent attention (Lewis, Haviland-Jones & Barrett, 2010). Mary will be part and parcel of a mental health training intervention where her indicators will be used to manage her problem. In addition, she will be exposed to a mental professional who will diagnose her and advice on the best treatment to administer. Lastly, counseling in a significant intervention that will help both Mary and the infant.
Question 4: Agencies/services/organisations
Three scenarios have to be addressed in the case. One is to address the challenges faced by the infant, by Mary and my Jamie; Mary’s eldest child. For this reason, three organisations or agencies have to be brought on board to help curb the problems faced by the client. Since the first victims of the presenting issue are the infant and Jamie, a children based organization must be included. First, a child specialist from children based agencies has to be invited to offer treatment and advice on how to help the infant with the developmental problem evident from her first diagnosis with the ECN.The second agency to be included is one that deals with mental health disorders. This organization will offer medical and psychological assistance to help solve the problem expressed or indicated by Mary. The reason for including this organization is to offer medical and physiological diagnosis if any. The last organization is Trauma and Fear agency that will help Jamie recover from the psychological torture.
Question 5: Legal and Ethical Issues
The only legal issue addressed in the case study is that concerning the unfair treatment of the children. The way that Mary is handling the kids a legal concern, this can be termed as a bridge of the law after she is diagnosed with a mental problem. If in any case that she is diagnosed with a mental problem then she will not be guilty the offense, but if she faces no mental problem then she will face the law. Therefore, this issue awaits Mary’s diagnosis. In case she is not mentally sick then, I will have to inform the authorities. The case is covered with ethical issues (Diamond & Lee, 2011). For example, confidentiality of medical or health information offered by Mary and the family is an ethical concern. The other ethical concern is the mode of exposure to a counseling process. In order to address these issues, first I have to work in accordance to my professional code of ethics and to assure my client that all the information she and the family have offered will remain confidential.
Question 6: Case-Notes
Counselor: _______________________Session Date: ________________ Time:
Client(s) Name: ___________________________________________________Session #: ______
Last Home Visit Case-Notes
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Client Description:
Based on the analysis the client indicates a fair recovery from the mental health problems that she had previously. She is very strong, organized and well- dressed.
Subjective Complaint:
The client only complains that the duration of counseling is long and would prefer it shortened during week days. She also wants to be with the kids.
Objective Findings:
It was noted that the client is able to handle all her domestic chores without any problem; her level of confusion is over.
Assessment of Progress:
After a vigorous evaluation of the client, she is ready to have her kids back since she has 99 percent recovered.
Needs for Supervision:
However, the ECN should continue visiting the infant for more three weeks to ensure they have conformed to the mother’s change in behavior.
Part 2
Monitoring and Reviewing Counseling process
The first step in monitoring and reviewing a counseling process is by evaluating the level of feedback being offered by the client. In case the client offers considerable feedback, then it can be evaluated that the process is efficient. The next step is ensuring that what was discussed in the process is being implemented. If the client implements advice offered in the counseling process then, the process can be considered efficient and effective.
Service user for ending a counseling process
The user must address the current status of the client, the nature mental health evident, and the next step towards full recover of the client. In this case, the worker should ensure that the user hold, the necessary follow up services.
References
Diamond, A., & Lee, K. (2011). Interventions shown to aid executive function development in children 4 to 12 years old. Science, 333(6045), 959-964.
Lewis, M., Haviland-Jones, J. M., & Barrett, L. F. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of emotions. Guilford Press.
Miller, K. E., & Rasmussen, A. (2010). War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in conflict and post-conflict settings: bridging the divide between trauma-focused and psychosocial frameworks. Social Science & Medicine,70(1), 7-16.
Sawyer, A., Baghurst, C., Graetz, K., Nurcombe, P., Prior, R., & Rey, W. (2006). Mental health of young people in Australia.
