INSTRUCTIONS Theoretical Orientation Paper Your 5-8 page theoretical orientation paper is designed as a process paper on which to build your personal counseling theory and personal counseling style. Specifically, this paper will provide an opportunity to integrate aspects of the theories learned this semester with your developing theoretical orientation. I will be using Vericite. If your paper shows a high percentage of plagiarism, you will receive a zero for this assignment. An explanation of the specific requirements for the content of the paper is included below. Content My Personal Counseling Theory Discuss your personal counseling theory. Next, discuss how your personal approach is informed by the existing theories you explored throughout the semester. In particular, you are asked to name and describe existing theoretical orientations that inform your personal theory (e.g., Client-centered, Existential, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychoanalytic, Reality, Gestalt, REBT, etc.). Be specific about what elements of the existing theoretical orientations relate to your personal theory. You may select one or two theories; however, all elements must be supported and adequately referenced. As this is the beginning of your counseling journey, focus on one or two theories that resonate with you. How Client Problems Originate From your theoretical position, describe how client problems originate. Be specific and use examples to illustrate your perspective. For example, do problems stem from client beliefs? The way people think? Feelings? Unconscious forces? Chemical imbalances in the brain? Issues related to family of origin? The way people view themselves, others, their lives? In terms of the BETA model used in your textbook— does one’s Background, Emotions, Thoughts, and/or Actions cause client problems? Be specific in your description and discussion. How Clients Are Best Helped Describe your view of how clients are best helped in the counseling process. This must be related to your personal perspective (e.g., “This is how I would approach working with clients . . .” “I would . . .” etc.). Be specific with techniques and interventions and justify your rationale. Use brief examples to illustrate your position. Specifically, you are asked to discuss how your approach is supported (or not) by the existing theories’ techniques and interventions and/or research.

Assignment 2: RA: Vignette Analysis: Design InterventionsAn important part of the skills you will develop in this course is the ability to design appropriate interventions, and that includes designing an assessment strategy appropriate to the particular client treated. In this assignment, you will create an assessment strategy based on the information provided in the vignette. This assignment is to be completed individually.Click here to study the vignette.Tasks:As a Forensic Case Manager, Laurel is sent to you to conduct an intake in order to start the assessment process. During that appointment, she relays to you the information mentioned in the vignette. Using the information found in the vignette, provide a preliminary diagnosis of the client according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) criteria.Create a 2- to 3-page paper describing the assessment tools you will use. In your paper, include the following:A description of the steps you will take to build rapport with Laurel and help her feel comfortable in confiding in you. Consider the work of Carl Rogers Person Centered Theory; the work of Insoo Kim Berg Solution-Focused Brief Theory (SFBT); and Crisis Theory to help inform your rapport building with Laurel.A description of what methods you will use to continue with the assessment process, knowing this may take three to four visits. Be specific if you are considering using any instruments or questionnaires. Explain the rationale for using each method and indicate what information you expect to find by using them.Given the information you know at this point, what would be your provisional diagnosis of Laurel?Look at a diagnosis for this exercise.You may consider rule-outs. Any diagnosis you give should have an explanation of the criteria or symptoms supporting your choice.Click here to access the template.All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.Submission Details:By the due date assigned, save your paper as M3_A2_Lastname_Firstname.doc and submit it to the Submissions Area.RA is worth 200 points and will be graded according to the following rubric.Assignment 2 Grading CriteriaAssignment ComponentsMaximum PointsBuilding Rapport64Building a comprehensive assessment56Providing a preliminary diagnosis48Academic WritingWrite in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources (i.e., APA); and display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.32Total:200Attachments

Assignment 1: Pitfalls in Interviewing VictimsIn the assessment of victims, pay special consideration to issues that may affect the ways in which the victims may react to your interventions. You need to do your homework and be aware of issues of possible relevance to the particular person or families you will be interviewing, whether you are:Interviewing a victim as part of a psychological evaluation for the courtWorking with law enforcement and need information to help in the prosecution of a crimeWorking as a consultant to an attorney who is defending a person with a history of traumaSome of the factors possibly influencing people's reactions to their traumatic experiences and their receptivity to certain manners of interviewing include:Age, gender, and sexual orientationReligious or spiritual beliefs and backgroundCultural or ethnic backgroundEducation and intellectual functioningPhysical illnessesLanguage proficiencyTasks:Select two of the factors listed above and explain in detail how they may affect your approach in interviewing and assessing a victim. Support your responses using examples and references from your textbook and other resources, such as websites. Include the references at the end of your posting.All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.Submission Details:By the due date assigned, post your responses to this Discussion Area.Through the end of the module, respond to at least two of your classmates' posts. While responding, compare the similarities and differences between what you have constructed and what your classmates have.Grading CriteriaMaximum PointsQuality of initial posting, including fulfillment of assignment instructions16Quality of responses to classmates12Frequency of responses to classmates4Reference to supporting readings and other materials4Language and grammar4Total:40Rubrics AU_Discussion Grading Rubric