Back to Week at a Glance (https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/21975/modules/items/589442)
In the world of counseling, many clients come to their first session either (a) already taking psychopharmaceutical medications for specific disorders previously diagnosed by a psychiatrist or other prescriber, or (b) in need of a psychiatric evaluation (psych eval) to determine the actual diagnosis and potential psychopharmaceutical options for stabilization. It is incumbent upon us to make sure that we stay within our scope of practice and our standards of practice. For this Assignment, you will review the literature and applicable code of ethics to analyze what are the most appropriate professional attitudes and behaviors related to working with clients who are on or need medications for mental health and/or substance use disorder stability and recovery.
To Prepare
PAPER: THE COUNSELOR’S ROLE WITH CLIENT, REGARDING PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES (https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/21975/modules/items/589458)
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/21975/modules/items/589442
https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/21975/modules/items/589458
COUN_6743_Week3_Assignment_Rubric
For this Assignment, you will review the reading assignments, resources, code of ethics, and current literature to analyze the role of counseling interns, certificants, and licensees when working with clients who are currently on or need psychotropic medications.
Assignment (3-5 pages)
Should a counselor be able to prescribe psychotropic medications to a client? Why or why not? When, if ever, can a counselor share their personal or professional opinions about prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications and/or supplements with a client? Explain your thoughts about this question. Who is best qualified to diagnose and prescribe psychotropic medications? What qualifies them to be the best resource for diagnosis and prescribing? What are the relevant codes within the ACA Code of Ethics that support your answer? When a client comes to you already on psychotropic medications, what is within your role and scope of practice? What is not within your role and scope of practice? If a client needs further evaluation in order to determine their diagnosis and potential need for psychotropic medications, how can we frame the conversation so it is client-centered, empathic, ethical, and informative?
Your Assignment will be 3 to 5 pages in length, not including cover page or references page. Be sure to support your Assignment with specific references from the text, resources, and literature. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or the internet for peer-reviewed academic literature to support your Assignment. This Assignment must utilize appropriate APA format and citations