Clinical Depression: A Case Study

Clients experiencing depression who are receiving services with private practice clinicians should be adequately assessed and well educated regarding their condition. The clinician should seek information pertaining to the source of the depression, and a variety of treatment options should be made available for the client.
I strongly agree with Dr. Goodman, clients should be told the truth about the causes of depression and not commonly used metaphors, such as the serotonin theory (Lacasse & Leo, 2015). However, it appears that no one is certain about what actually causes depression, yet it does not result from a chemical imbalance. As a clinician, I would be honest with my client due to the need for a trusting relationship. I would utilize the stance
For example, according to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), there is a list of criteria a client must meet before being diagnosed with a disorder; and if the client is experiencing major depressive disorder, I would explain that the assessment reported concluded that he or she has experienced significant weight loss or gain without dieting, experienced fatigue, experienced feelings of worthlessness, have difficulty concentrating, and experienced feelings of sadness nearly every day during the same two week period. According to Lacasse & Leo (2005), The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), does not report serotonin deficiency as the result of any mental disorder listed. As a clinician, I also believe it is important that the client is aware that if he or she is diagnosed with depression they may have the ability to overcome the condition with adequate treatment(s). I would focus on educating about situational depression; therefore, they will not be convinced the condition is