Diagnosis – Post-traumatic stress disorder

Posted: May 5th, 2020

Please do this assignment for the caseaccording to the instructions below and the example that I uploaded :

You will submit a paper demonstrating your ability to conduct integrative therapy.
Your paper must demonstrate your understanding and ability to conduct a therapeutic session with an individual during the action phase of therapy (meaning not the beginning or end phase of therapy) detailing your ability to use an integration of different theoretical approaches in this phase of therapy with the client. You must utilize at least two theoretical approaches i.e. client centered and Solution-Focused Therapy.
Your paper should consist of a 5-page summary (excluding cover and reference page) where you explain your approach (which theoretical approaches you utilized with the client i.e. client centered, cognitive, CBT, or behavioral therapy) as well as providing a rationale why you chose those approaches to integrate.
Additionally, you should identify, discuss and explain the rationale of at least three counseling skills that you utilized during the session with verbatim examples (word-for-wordVictor
Victor is a 27-year-old man who comes to the center for help. He was an infantryman with a local Marine Reserve unit who was honorably discharged in 2014 after serving two tours of duty in Iraq. His girlfriend has told him he has “not been the same” since his second tour of duty and it is impacting their relationship.
Although he offers few details, upon questioning he reports that he has significant difficulty sleeping, that he “sleeps with one eye open” and, on the occasions when he falls into a deeper sleep, he has nightmares. He is not currently working fulltime and works as a security guard part-time, although he does not always show up for work due to oversleeping.
He endorses experiencing several traumatic events during his second tour, but is unwilling to provide specific details – he tells you he has never spoken with anyone about them and he is not sure he ever will. He spends much of his time alone because he feels irritable and doesn’t want to snap at people. He reports to you that he finds it difficult to perform his duties as a security guard because it is boring and gives him too much time to think. At the same time, he is easily startled by noise and motion and spends excessive time searching for threats that are never confirmed both when on duty and at home. He describes having intrusive memories about his traumatic experiences on a daily basis but he declines to share any details. He also avoids seeing friends from his Reserve unit because seeing them reminds him of experiences that he does not want to remember.
Diagnosis – Post-traumatic stress disorder
Symptoms
• Hypervigilance
• Intrusive Thoughts
• Irritability
• Loss of Interest
• Sleep Difficulties
• Trauma

Approach:
For Victor’s case, I will be using an integrative approach by utilizing both client-centered therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The reason for choosing these approaches is that client-centered therapy is effective in building a strong therapeutic alliance, which is crucial for clients with PTSD. CBT is a well-established therapy for PTSD, and it is highly effective in treating symptoms related to anxiety and depression, which are commonly associated with PTSD.

Rationale:
Client-centered therapy is essential in this case because Victor needs a supportive and safe environment where he can feel comfortable sharing his experiences. This approach will help him explore his thoughts and feelings without any judgment or criticism. CBT, on the other hand, is effective in helping clients identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to PTSD symptoms. This approach will help Victor recognize his negative thinking patterns and develop coping strategies to manage his symptoms.

Counseling Skills:

Empathy – Throughout the session, I used empathetic listening skills to understand Victor’s perspective fully. For example, when he shared his difficulty in sleeping and nightmares, I responded with empathy by saying, “I can only imagine how difficult it is for you to get a good night’s sleep with all those thoughts and memories.”

Active Listening – I used active listening skills by summarizing and clarifying Victor’s statements to ensure that I fully understood his experiences. For instance, when he mentioned that he had difficulty focusing at work, I repeated his statement by saying, “So, you find it challenging to concentrate on your job because you are always thinking about the past experiences?”

Psychoeducation – I provided Victor with education on PTSD, its symptoms, and how it affects individuals. This approach helped him gain insight into his symptoms and recognize that he was not alone in his experiences. For example, I explained how hypervigilance is a common symptom of PTSD and how it is linked to survival instincts.

Verbatim Examples:
Therapist: “Victor, it sounds like you have been experiencing a lot of intrusive thoughts and difficulty sleeping. Can you tell me more about what you are thinking about when you have these thoughts?”
Victor: “I don’t want to talk about it. It’s just memories from my tour.”
Therapist: “I understand that it’s difficult for you to talk about your experiences. It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about them right now. However, it’s essential to address these thoughts to help you manage your symptoms better. Would you be open to exploring some coping strategies to manage these thoughts?”

Therapist: “Victor, it seems like you are feeling irritable and avoiding social situations. Is there something specific that makes you feel this way?”
Victor: “I just don’t want to talk about my experiences with anyone. It’s too hard.”
Therapist: “I can see that it’s tough for you to talk about your experiences. However, isolating yourself from others may make it more challenging to manage your symptoms. It’s crucial to have social support during this time. What do you think about reaching out to a support group for veterans?”

Therapist: “Victor, I understand that your symptoms are impacting your daily life, and it’s essential to address them. Have you considered trying some relaxation techniques to help you manage your symptoms?”
Victor: “I don’t know. I haven’t really tried anything like that before.”
Therapist: “There are many relaxation techniques that can help you manage your symptoms, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. I can provide you with some resources that may be helpful. What do you think about giving it a try?”