As a counselor, being competent and familiar with risk assessment is essential to the therapeutic process; both in giving a client’s context related to treatment of their psychological symptoms and in helping the clinician prioritize short- and long-term treatment outcomes. This assignment contains three parts, as identified and described below. Please complete each part with a combined essay of 950-1,700 words. Introduction A Risk Assessment is a diagnostic service that is available to children and adults that is completed for any person who is experiencing emotional distress resulting in a question of whether or not they pose a safety risk to themselves or others. A comprehensive assessment of mental status, current and past risk factors, and current intent or plan is compiled to determine level of risk to self or others. This writer will create a scenario on a client that will require a risk assessment, the behaviors that lead to the risk assessment, and how to assess the client. Part 1: Write a 300-700-word scenario that involves a client that you believe requires a risk assessment. Laura is a very successful businesswoman in the high-stress high-powered world of corporate finance. She has been referred to you by the company’s employment assistance program. Laura presents herself as a no-nonsense business professional. She is frank and honest about the events that has brought her to your office. Laura tells you that although she tells herself that she will only have one or two glasses with dinner, she usually finishes the whole bottle. In the morning she drinks at least 3 to 4 cups of coffee daily, even on the weekends. She noticed that her sleeping problems developed around the same time her Dad died. He was only in his early 50’s and they were very close. His death hit her hard and she says she wanted to give in to a big depression. However, she fought it and lost herself in her work. She makes it a point to work out at least three times a week in the morning before going to work. In addition to the above medications, Laura is also prescribed Xanax? as needed for panic attacks and diet pills (amphetamine congeners) to control her weight, a problem she had since she was a child. Over the last year she has become more reclusive. She can barely make it to business dinners and after-work functions. Lately however, she has noticed that she has been steadily increasing her use of wine. Before, she would only have a few glasses with dinner but now more than more often than not I finish off the bottle before going to bed. In the morning she drinks at least 3 to 4 cups of coffee daily, even on the weekends. She noticed that her sleeping problems developed around the same time her Dad died. He was only in his early 50’s and they were very close. His death hit her hard and she says she wanted to give in to a big depression. However, she fought it and lost herself in her work. She makes it a point to work out at least three times a week in the morning before going to work. In addition to the above medications, Laura is also prescribed Xanax? as needed for panic attacks and diet pills (amphetamine congeners) to control her weight, a problem she had since she was a child. Over the last year she has become more reclusive. She can barely make it to business dinners and after-work functions. Lately however, she has noticed that she has been steadily increasing her use of wine. Part 2: Write a 150-250-word summary, discussing specific behaviors that lead you to create a risk assessment. After reviewing the client’s initial assessment this counselor feels it is necessary to further assess this client for a risk assessment due to the following risk factors: the psychological need to have a drink to calm her down, relieve her stress and unwind; loss of control, once Laura begins drinking. Intending to have just one glass of wine with dinner, she unintentionally finishes the bottle. Laura is aware of her loss of control. She is becoming more isolated and avoiding social events unless they are absolutely necessary. She is avoiding her social life in order to be at home were she can drink without risking her relationships with friends and business associates. In addition, Laura is unaware of her tolerance of the substance has increased. However, she continues to drink despite negative consequences. This cost her a valuable client and possibly her job. It was only at her boss’s insistence that she contact the company’s EAP program that Laura is even in your office at this time. Given the above information, it seems fairly certain that Laura has moved from the habitual stage of this disease and is now in the abuse/dependency stage of alcoholism. (Long, Ph.D, 2005) Part 3: Write a 500-750-word summary, discussing how you would assess the client. Include the following in your discussion: 1. Questions you would ask to determine the client's level of risk 2. Protocol you would follow based on the client's answers, including documentation 3. Include at least three scholarly references in your paper. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
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