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Role and Application of Consultation and Advocacy in Psychological Interventions
Dorothy Farrow
Dr.Garris
COUN/5004
July 2,2015
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Role and application of Consultation and advocacy in Psychological Interventions
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Role of Consultation and Advocacy
Mental health counseling involves diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders. Often, the process of psychological intervention involves a patient with a behavioral disorder such as alcohol and drug abuse, or mental disorder such as depression, social anxiety, or
PTSD seeking help from a mental health counselor (MHC). Through talk therapy, which includes a diagnostic …show more content…
An good example , of self-advocacy training is encouraging immigrants to learn the local language and culture, which will boost their self-esteem, enhance their integration and social-economic opportunities. The purpose of advocating on behalf of the clients is to change an oppressive system that is the main cause of mental disorder. The main benefit of advocating on behalf of socially oppressed client is treating the cause rather than the symptoms of behavioral and mental disorder. Treatment of depressive symptoms using therapy or medication is inadequate, if the cause of depression is poverty, domestic abuse, second-class citizen status due to illegal immigration, or discrimination based on sexuality, race, or religious affiliation (Schoen & McKelley, 2012).
Case Study
An adult male client is suffering depression but after months of treating his symptoms using therapy, the client has reported that he is not feeling better and would like to try medication to alleviate feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, lack of interests in anything, guilt, and probably suicidal ideation. Although medication would temporarily alleviate most of the …show more content…
The first intervention strategy is direct consultation with the client to reassure them that homosexuality is natural and not abnormal. Secondly, the MHC should consult with a counselor that specializes in LGBT therapy to understand better the identity issues closeted homosexuals deal with. The MHC can then implement a common depression treatment plan such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that encourages the client to adapt behaviors or ways of thinking that match their real identity.
In terms of multicultural issues, the MHC should first train the client self-advocacy, for example, by pointing out that gays like immigrants are a minority, who face the same challenges.
The counselor can then highlight the clients strengths including having a college degree and a well paying jobs as products of overcoming his disadvantaged background. Empowering the client is a crucial step is helping him embrace his gay identity. Alternative, the therapist can advocate on behalf of the client by seeking out counselors in the Muslim community that are progay, and propose group therapy sessions that will encourage development of a gay support