Psychiatric Assessment of Children Under 18
After studying Module 2: Lecture Materials & Resources, complete the following:
In a well-written discussion, address the following:
One common dilemma faced by child psychologists is determining who the “client” is. Given that children are typically brought to treatment by their parents, how would you handle a child who confides in you some illicit behavior and asks you not to tell his or her parents?
Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted, and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response.)
All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.
Please post your initial response by 11:59 PM ET Thursday, and comment on the posts of two classmates by 11:59 PM ET Sunday.
Late work policies, expectations regarding proper citations, acceptable means of responding to peer feedback, and other expectations are at the discretion of the instructor.
You can expect feedback from the instructor within 48 to 72 hours from the Sunday due date.
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Sample Solution
When a child confides in me regarding behavior that they do not want their parents to know about, it is important to assess the individual situation and create an appropriate plan of action. Depending on the age of the child, their level of maturity, and the potential risk posed by their illicit behavior I would consider if it would be appropriate or beneficial for me to disclose this information with the parent(s). For instance, if the child was engaging in activities which put them at serious risk such as drug use or self-harm then it may be necessary for me to inform their parent(s) so that proper interventions can be put into place. However, depending on the context there are cases where disclosing this information could lead to more harm than good such as when children express feelings of anxiety due to possible repercussions from parental figures. In these cases I would strive towards creating a safe environment for self-disclosure while still being mindful about what information should remain confidential between client and therapist.
Additionally, I would take into consideration any cultural norms present within family dynamics which might mean involving other stakeholders such as extended family members before informing parents directly; this could potentially provide greater support networks and even alternative ways of dealing with issues without outside intervention (Rice & Smith 2018). Lastly, although difficult decisions must be made when weighing risks vs rewards with potential disclosure scenarios ultimately my job is to protect and advocate for my clients’ best interests while ensuring safety above all else (Freeman 2013).
