Tag Archive for: Psychotherapy: Addictive Disorders

Assessing Clients With Addictive Disorders

To prepare:

• Review      this week’s Learning Resources and consider the insights they provide.
• Review      the Levy Family video Episodes 1 through 5.

The Assignment

In a 2- to 3-page paper, address the following:

• After      watching Episode 1, describe:

• What       is Mr. Levy’s perception of the problem?
• What       is Mrs. Levy’s perception of the problem?
• What       can be some of the implications of the problem on the family as a whole?
• After      watching Episode 2, describe:

• What       did you think of Mr. Levy’s social worker’s ideas?
• What       were your thoughts of her supervisor’s questions about her suggested       therapies and his advice to Mr. Levy’s supervisor?
• After      watching Episode 3, discuss the following:

• What       were your thoughts about the way Mr. Levy’s therapist responded to what       Mr. Levy had to say?
• What       were your impressions of how the therapist worked with Mr. Levy? What did       you think about the therapy session as a whole?
• Informed       by your knowledge of pathophysiology, explain the physiology of deep       breathing (a common technique that we use in helping clients to manage       anxiety). Explain how changing breathing mechanics can alter blood       chemistry.
• Describe       the therapeutic approach his therapist selected. Would you use exposure       therapy with Mr. Levy? Why or why not? What evidence exists to support       the use of exposure therapy (or the therapeutic approach you would       consider if you disagree with exposure therapy)?
• In      Episode 4, Mr. Levy tells a very difficult story about Kurt, his platoon      officer.

• Discuss       how you would have responded to this revelation.
• Describe       how this information would inform your therapeutic approach. What would       you say/do next?
• In      Episode 5, Mr. Levy’s therapist is having issues with his story.

• Imagine       that you were providing supervision to this therapist, how would you       respond to her concerns?
• Support your      approach with evidence-based literature.