Week 2 Articles

Question 1

Clinical interviewing requires a complex set of skills including:

Answer 1

Broad knowledge of psychopathology, proficiency in interpersonal communication, understanding of clinical phenomena and how it affects the interviewer and client. (Alkin & Turner, 2006)

Question 2

Clients present the therapist with a unique background and presenting problem; what is a flexible approach in obtaining pertinent and valid information?

Answer 2

One can use semi structured interviews or abbreviated forms of standardized instruments to ensure a comprehensive assessment. (Alkin & Turner, 2006)

Question 3

How are structured and semi structured interviews beneficial?

Answer 3

Diagnosis made with structured or semi structured interviews improve the diagnostic decision making by ensuring that relevant information is covered. For example, the schedule of the interview ensures systematic and comprehensive coverage of symptomatology; ensuring criteria is being met for specific diagnoses. (Alkin & Turner, 2006)

Question 4

What is the most important mechanism to address the problems associated with interviewing and diagnosing minority groups?

Answer 4

One needs proper training and education; enhanced cultural competence is critical for minimizing diagnostic problems with minority groups due to a clinicians generalizations of a specific minority group or relying on stereotypes. (Alkin & Turner, 2006)

Question 5

What are the 5 stages of modification of additive behaviors (Client’s Stages of Change)?

Answer 5

1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance
   (Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 6

What is Precontemplation?

Answer 6

It is when a client has no intention to change behavior in the current or near future. The client is in denial of any presenting problems and is often forced into seeking treatment.
(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 7

What is Contemplation?

Answer 7

The client is aware of the problem and they want to fix it but they have not made a commitment to take action. Here the client is struggling between the pros and cons and can remain stuck here for a long time. There is a serious consideration of problem resolution occurring.
(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 8

What is Preparation?

Answer 8

The client has now made a commitment and is preparing themselves for change. Their intention to commit to change begins to display small behavioral changes. They intend to take action on problems in the near future.
(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 9

What is Action?

Answer 9

The client begins to actively modify their behavior, experiences, or environment in order to overcome their problems. Successfully altered additive behavior must occur for a period of one day to 6 months. Due to the time and energy this stage requires, to be successful, the commitment and prep stages are really important.
(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 10

What is Maintenance?

Answer 10

The client is putting forth the effort to prevent relapse. This is a continuous change; an individual must maintain positive behavior for 6 months to be considered in this stage.
(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 11

What is self change?

Answer 11

When a client changes behavior without formal psychotherapy. This is often referred to as “spontaneous remission” brought upon external influence and individual commitment.
(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 12

What are problems that arise during additive behavior treatment?

Answer 12

• client drops out
• client relapses are improving
• client has a lack of motivation
• client displays resistance
• client is defensive
• there is a lack of client-practitioner relationship
• inadequate techniques are used
• theory is misused or not applied accurately

(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 13

Stages of change measured in two ways by self-report:

Answer 13

1. Discrete categorical measure
2. Continuous measure
   (Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 14

What is a Discrete categorical measure?

Answer 14

It assesses the stage from a series of mutually exclusive questions.

(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 15

What is a Continuous measure?

Answer 15

It yields separate scales from precontemplation, contemplation, action, and maintenance.

(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 16

Treatment Implications:

Answer 16

• many people do not want to sign up even if they verbally announce their desire to
• self-help programs are usually only aimed towards individuals in the action stage
• the stage the client is in entering the program will effect their behavior once outside the program
• best form of treatment is to help people progress just one stage a month
• some treatments only work well in certain stages and not others

(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 17

10 Representative Interventions of the Processes of Change:

Answer 17

1. Consciousness raising
2. Self-reevaluation
3. Self-liberation
4. Counter conditioning
5. Stimulus control
6. Reinforcement management
7. Helping relationships
8. Dramatic relief
9. Environmental reevaluation
10. Social liberation

(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 18

4 Behavioral Patterns found between patients using self-help techniques and those seeking therapy for their behaviors:

Answer 18

1. stable patterns-remain the same for the entire 2 years
2. progressive patterns-linear movement through stages
3. regressive patterns-moving to an earlier stage of change
4. recycling patterns-2 or more revolutions through the stages of change

(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)

Question 19

Transtheoretical Model (the underlying structure of change is neither technique-oriented nor problem specific)

Answer 19

1. a cyclical pattern of movement through specific stages of change
2. a common set of processes of change
3. a systematic integration of the stages and processes of change

(Prochaska, J.O., & C.C., 1992)