Reference no: EM133507582

Assignment:

A therapist conducts an intake interview with a 20-year-old Black man named George who seems nervous and uncomfortable being asked so many questions. He answers them, but seems anxious and irritated at times and expresses concerns about the one-way mirror in the therapy room and who might be behind it. The therapist concludes that the prospective client is showing symptoms of paranoia, anxiety, and hostility, and considers a diagnosis of a personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophrenia. As the clinical supervisor, you ask the therapist to consider sociocultural context and to apply cultural schemas to the diagnostic process.

Do you agree or disagree with this response to the above scenario? why?

According to this week's article, compared to white clients, minority clients are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis (Jackson, 1976; Ridley, 1995). After reading this week's scenario and readings. I must take into consideration that George is a 30-year-old African American male. I believe it is hard for men to be vulnerable especially if considering cultural differences as well. I can speak from being African American, counseling or therapy was not something our cultural believed. We believed that our family matters were to be handled within the family system.

The therapist observes George's behaviors as anxiety, paranoia, and hostility. The therapist concludes a diagnosis based on the first meeting with George during the intake process. I believe there is not enough information to determine a diagnosis. Is George feeling anxious and concerned regarding the one- way mirror in the room and possibly overwhelmed with all the questions? Yes. But being hostile I do not agree with the therapist. I am thinking of when we discussed self- of the therapist and creating a safe environment for the client, which allows the client to engage with the therapist willingly.

I could not say that the therapist is trying to intentionally misdiagnosis or mistreat George but, the therapist in my opinion is misinterpreting George's behaviors. It does not state the therapist race or ethnicity either. The therapist could benefit from applying a cultural schema for George. This can assist with building therapeutic alliance, diagnosing, theorizing presenting issues, creating goals, treatments, interventions, and strategies (Ridley, 1995). I think the therapist needs more background information and should meet with her supervisor before diagnosing George.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).

Ridley, C. R. (2005). Overcoming unintentional racism in counseling and therapy: A practitioner's guide to intentional intervention (2nd ed.). Sage.