The Graduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment at Concordia University of Alberta initiated a desire to gain knowledge in therapy. I leant that knowledge of therapy is essential to tailor an assessment to each individual as otherwise a report is generic and abstract. I came to this realization during my personality assessment practicum. The practicum required interviewing, administering, scoring, interpreting and writing a report for a battery of three of the following: PDS, NEO-PI-3, PIA-2, and MCMI-III (write out names). Two of the three volunteers, I conducted my practicum on, presented with no psychopathology so I wrote a generic report. The third volunteer presented with psychopathology. In this report I would have liked a deeper knowledge of therapy to tailor treatment suggestions. Also a desire to conduct therapy initialed …show more content…
I am a good fit for the Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at the Loyola University Maryland. This program’s focus on assessment with many assessment courses will further development my skills in clinical assessment. Also individualized therapy courses in the program, such as cognitive-behavior therapy, would increase my competency to conduct and implement therapy into my assessment reports. In addition, this program is willing to provide learning opportunities tailored to each student as seen in course, such as, colloquium and professional consultation and development. Although theoretical knowledge is important for a foundation, practicum placements are more important for the implementation of this knowledge. In this program the practicum placements start early in the second year. Lastly this program allows me to research my interest in assessment through a dissertation on the development and evaluation for an assessment
Largely, the entire test proved thought provoking as this was a subjective test. Meaning everyone's values are not the same, everyone is not driven by the same motives. This could be problematic in obtaining valid results. It has given this writer cause to carefully examine assessments that are being administered clients. Reliability and validity have a great importance in how counselor should utilize assessments and can assist in finding appropriate instruments in order to be more effective with clients.
Interpretation of a client's symptoms is to a clinical psychologist as the development of an achievement test is to a(n) __________ psychologist.
Constant assessment of the clients’ problems and cognitions is very important in evaluating if techniques are being effective. Often in the beginning there is an extensive interview process that can last several hours. This interview gives the therapist insight into the client’s past, what the current problems are, and client goals. The interview will allow the therapist to set up a structured plan for how the therapy will proceed.
I would like to pursue counseling as my career and become a successful leader in the field. I have always had a passion to assist people in emotional distress. As a qualified professional in the counseling field, I would be able to identify their problems as well as offer them the most appropriate solutions that may help them deal with their situations. However, working as a professional counselor requires that I possess the relevant skills and knowledge that would enable me to offer quality services in which I think that I can obtain the skills at Capella University. As a
Clinical psychologists treat those whose thought patterns and behaviours are a threat to their own wellbeing and potentially a threat to others. By using techniques such as observation and interviews, clinical psychologists will assess a patients problem and use this information to provide suitable treatment. Treatments through this pathway require the patients cooperation to both analyse and manage their condition (Health Careers, 2016). Whilst conducting treatments with
Cohen, R. J., Swerdlik, M. E., & Sturman, E. D. (2013). Psychological testing and assessment: An introduction to tests and measurement (8th Ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
Feist, J., & Feist, G. J. (2009). Theories of Personality (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Ms. Bennett is a 29 year-old, single, heterosexual, African American, woman who presented herself at the Argosy University Therapeutic Assessment and Psychotherapy Services (AUTAPS) for her main concern that she takes longer time to comprehend material taught in class. Ms. Bennett is a first year graduate student at University of La Verne who is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management. She reported that she is currently receiving accommodations from the university, as the University was temporarily able to accept the documentation provided for the previous university. She appeared to be of stated age, dressed appropriately for assessment with good personal grooming, and arrived just on time for her appointment. Ms. Bennett appeared to be guarded, as she sometimes appeared to inhibit her speech by saying “never mind.” Similarly, the range of her demonstrated affect was relatively constricted and the tone of her speech seemed low. Nevertheless, she appeared effortful and respectful toward the examiner throughout the assessment. Ms. Bennett was alert and attentive, and is likely to be a reliable historian, as the stories she told were consistent and thus her memory appeared adequate. Her thought process seems to be clear and linear, and she was oriented to person, place, and time. Ms. Bennett is seeking comprehensive assessment to determine whether she may be eligible for accommodations based on the results of testing.Ms. Bennett reported that she was
The clarification and management of assessment instruments in counseling have been highlighted in multiple documents. One of the eight common core areas mandated by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is assessments. It is emphasized in all counseling related code of ethics including the American Counseling Association (ACA). The ACA states that competence in testing obtained through training, education, and experience as well as master level counselors with course work in assessment are qualified to use objective measures. Verification of a test user’s training, level of education, and credentials are usually required by test publishers. The
I recently completed a Master’s degree in Counseling psychology through a mentored low residency program at the American International College in Springfield, MA. As such, I was able to improve my academic skills and obtained practical experience from my clinical internship. My inherent enthusiasm to help others and be a positive difference maker in their lives predisposes me to seek doctoral pursuit as I aim is to develop a more robust understanding of the nuances and complexities surrounding behavior and cognition of human beings. More specifically, I aspire to develop a more
Test administrators should understand and clarify why the test taker is being assessed,(American Educational Research, 2014). Additionally, they should also understand why certain tests, inventories, and diagnostic procedures are selected. As a student, in the process of achieving a Master 's degree in clinical psychology, it is essential to be aware of the reasons for certain tests, their reliability, and validity.
Becoming acquainted with a potential client’s history, personality and present concerns is necessary in forming a foundation for counseling interventions. This information gathering phase is referred to as assessment (Mears, 2010). While some mental health professionals will use an interview as their primary assessment tool, others will utilize testing
This form does encompass the realm of a client’s life. Nevertheless, the one question seems to be missing is an inquiry as to what brought them in today, and why are they choosing now to deal with it. Previously, we learned how motivation is an important factor that needs to be both considered and addressed (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried, 2016). The form did ask what they wanted to get out of their therapy session, but that is only half of the information that is needed. Knowing this information allows the clinician to have a better understanding of the client, which is imperative for a successful assessment. This intake form does briefly address all aspects included in a biopsychosocial assessment. The medical questions
The personality assessment inventory tests provide results on my individual personality, values, motivation, decision making, communication, team skills, conflict skills, organizational structure preference, and stress. These results are broken down briefly in three parts and do not include any personal speculation or analysis as to their meaning. The application of these results are further applied and explains how the results noted from the tests and in the first step will make me a better employee, co-worker, and manager within my organization. These tests mentioned above are applied in conjunction with particular examples on how I can achieve becoming a better employee, co-worker, and manager. An explanation of how my personality and experiences were affected by the Holy Spirit is also discussed. Particularly, how potential weaknesses have become strengths with the guidance of the Lord.
There comes a time when we all come across a specific test such as school tests, driving test, or even as simple as food tasting test. However, there is a difference between regular tests and testing’s when referring to psychological testing. There are several different psychological tests that many psychiatrists, psychologists, and school counselors use to determine certain abilities, however each of the tests are used for a specific purpose. It is vital for the individuals to contain high knowledge of the tests before applying it to others.