SFU-013 - Module 4 (Model answer)

Preparation Task (10 minutes)

Research Task (30 minutes)

Analysis Task (30 minutes)

Create Task (30 minutes)

Hear from a professional in this role to see how they might approach this task.The following pages are a detailed model answer for the work simulation on Mental and Behavioural Health, geared towards a student interested in becoming a Mental and Behavioral Health Specialist.

Document and Present (10 minutes)

Reflection Task (10 minutes)

Expected Outcome

Model Answer

Simulation

PREPaRAtion task

Preparation Task (10 minutes):

To start, I familiarised myself with the essential components of creating a treatment plan. I reviewed the article "Steps in Developing a Treatment Plan" from Verywell Mind, which outlined the basic structure:

• Collecting assessment data
• Defining treatment goals
• Selecting an appropriate therapeutic approach
• Creating a session structure for monitoring progress

Simulation

research task

Research Task (30 minutes):

Name: Alex ThompsonAge: 30 Presenting Complaints: Anxiety and mild to moderate depression Lifestyle and Background: Alex is experiencing persistent feelings of worry and low mood, with difficulty concentrating at work. Symptoms have lasted for six months. No prior therapy. Limited social support.

Client Profile:

Treatment Methods:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Evidence-based approach for both anxiety and depression. Focuses on identifying and challenging distorted thought patterns.Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Incorporates meditation and mindfulness practices to reduce stress and anxiety.Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Targets interpersonal issues, improving communication and social support, which may alleviate depressive symptoms.

Psychological Assessment Tools:Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II): Measures the severity of Alex's depression.GAD-7: Assesses the level of generalised anxiety.Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): Assesses overall mood and functioning.These tools provide reliable and validated ways to quantify Alex's mental health symptoms.

Simulation

Analysis Task

Analysis Task (30 minutes):

Assessment Interpretation:Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II): Alex scored 22, which falls into the "moderate depression" category. Symptoms include sadness, fatigue, and trouble concentrating.GAD-7 Score: Alex scored 13, indicating moderate anxiety. Key symptoms involve excessive worry and restlessness.PHQ-9 Score: With a score of 15, Alex's depression is confirmed as moderate, with issues affecting daily functioning and emotional regulation.

Treatment Suitability:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Highly suited for treating Alex’s combination of anxiety and depression by focusing on reframing negative thoughts and providing coping skills.Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Effective in reducing physiological symptoms of anxiety, which aligns well with Alex’s restlessness and heightened stress.Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Given Alex’s limited social network, IPT can be valuable in improving relationships and building emotional support, potentially helping reduce depressive symptoms.

Simulation

Create Task

Treatment Goals:

Session 1-2: Introduction to CBT principles, identifying negative thought patterns.Session 3-4: Introduction to mindfulness practices, with homework to practise daily.Session 5-6: Exploration of interpersonal issues, focusing on building better relationships at work and with family.Session 7-8: Review progress in each therapy type, adjust strategies as needed.

Short-Term Goals:

• Reduce the intensity of Alex’s worry and rumination (within 6 weeks).
• Alleviate depressive symptoms, such as fatigue and low motivation (within 8 weeks).

• Improve emotional regulation and reduce the frequency of anxious episodes (within 3 months).
• Strengthen social support and interpersonal connections to improve mood stability (6 months).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focus on identifying maladaptive thought and behavioural patterns contributing to both anxiety and depression. Alex will be encouraged to track automatic thoughts and challenge their accuracy.Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Alex will practise mindfulness meditation for 15 minutes daily, gradually increasing over time to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Sessions will include discussions around Alex’s relationships, focusing on improving communication skills and creating a more robust social support system.

Weekly completion of the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 to track Alex’s improvement in anxiety and depression levels.Adjustments will be made based on scores, and Alex’s self-reported sense of well-being.At the 8-week mark, the treatment plan will be revisited to assess progress and modify goals if needed.

Create Task (30 minutes):

Treatment Plan for Alex Thompson: Introduction and Background: Alex Thompson, a 30-year-old presenting with moderate anxiety and depression. Symptoms have persisted for six months, impacting daily functioning and work performance.

Treatment Approach:

Session Structure:

Monitoring & Evaluation:

Simulation

Document and Present

Compile Documentation

I compiled the findings and treatment plan into a Google Slides presentation. The slides included:Slide 1: Introduction to Alex’s case profile.Slide 2: Psychological assessment tools and results (BDI-II, GAD-7, PHQ-9).Slide 3: Detailed treatment plan with goals, session structure, and monitoring methods.Slide 4: Conclusion summarising the expected outcomes and review timeline.

Presentation

I practised presenting the slides, focusing on clearly explaining the rationale for the treatment plan. If possible, I would share the presentation for feedback from peers or a supervisor.

Simulation

Reflection Task

Reflecting on this simulation, I found that interpreting psychological assessments was challenging but insightful. Deciding on the most appropriate treatment methods required careful consideration of the client’s specific symptoms and circumstances.

One of the most rewarding aspects was integrating various therapeutic approaches (CBT, MBSR, IPT) to address Alex’s mental health from different angles. However, I found that crafting session structures with flexibility for ongoing evaluation was particularly complex.

In future simulations or real-life applications, I aim to improve my skills in adjusting treatment plans more dynamically as new information emerges. Additionally, I’d like to deepen my understanding of alternative treatment approaches for clients who may not respond well to traditional therapies.

Reflect

Approaches

Reflection Task (10 minutes):

Application

Simulation

Expected outcome

By completing this simulation, I gained valuable experience in developing a psychological treatment plan. This process improved my ability to integrate psychological assessments with therapeutic techniques tailored to individual client needs. Moving forward, I feel more confident in my ability to create effective treatment strategies that promote mental health and resilience.

Expected Outcome