Capstone Project 2023

The recently revised Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder strongly

recommends the use of individual, manualized trauma-focused
psychotherapies that have a primary component of exposure and/or
cognitive restructuring, such as prolonged exposure and cognitive
processing therapy (CPT).
CPT includes a written narrative account as part of the treatment.

whereas the narrative written trauma accounts are completed between
sessions in CPT
Sloan, D. M., Marx, B. P., Lee, D. J., & Resick, P. A. (2018). A Brief
Exposure-Based Treatment vs Cognitive Processing Therapy for
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Noninferiority Clinical
Trial. JAMA psychiatry, 75(3), 233–239.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.4249
- Becoming aware of your feelings, learning about the symptoms of trauma, learning how
to challenge thoughts and change post-traumatic beliefs
CPT typically takes 8-14 sessions.
- Helps clients recognize how their trauma has changed their view about themselves, others
and the world, recognizing negative thoughts arisen by the trauma (stuck points)
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/family/how_help_cpt.asp
1. Education about PTSD and CPT
2. Processing the trauma
3. Learning to challenge thoughts about the trauma
4. Trauma themes – safety, trust, power, control, esteem and intimacy.
Okamoto, A., Dattilio, F. M., Dobson, K. S., & Kazantzis, N. (2019). The therapeutic relationship in
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy: Essential features and common challenges. Practice Innovations, 4(2),
112-123. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&AuthType=ip,sso&db=pdh&AN=2019-06636-001&site=eds-live&custid=s7439054
This study source was downloaded by 100000764291398 from CourseHero.com on 07-03-2023 15:55:20 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/198411144/Capstone-Project-2023docx/
During this term of Practicum (7203), students will continue to engage in the process of case
conceptualization while providing professional services with a different client at their Practicum
site and is providing counselling using the same counselling theory as the one theory identified
in their 7113 Case Conceptualization assignment. Recall from 7113 Case Conceptualization
Paper and Literature Review assignment that case conceptualization refers to the process in
which the counsellor makes sense of a client’s presenting concerns in the context of a theoretical
framework.
Students will also engage in a comparative analysis of the one counselling theory when
counselling two different clients. The comparative analysis will focus on the therapeutic
relationship; the theory’s assumptions, principles, or foundational beliefs; treatment goals and
interventions; and cultural considerations and implications of the use of one counselling theory
when counseling two different clients.
NOTE: Should the student’s practicum placement not permit use of their client for the case
conceptualization, the student should inform their faculty instructor for alternative instructions
for completing the Capstone Project paper.
Learning Objectives
 To examine the utilization of the same one theoretical approach and interventions
identified in the PSYC7113 Case Conceptualization & Literature Review assignment
tailored for a different client case.
 To integrate theory, research literature, and practice in case conceptualization, planning,
and counselling interventions.
 To be able to choose an appropriate course of action and apply sound ethical decision-
making strategies to resolve ethical dilemmas.
 To identify how diversity, cultural and contextual frameworks and factors influence
conceptualization, goal setting, and treatment.
 To summarize counselling processes and client progress to demonstrate proficiency to
function as an entry-level counsellor in the field.
 To explain how experiences, feedback, and readings contribute to responsiveness and
potential change in counselling interactions.
 To engage in comparative analysis of the one counselling theory to the therapeutic
relationship.
 To engage in comparative analysis of the counselling theory’s assumptions, principles, or
foundational beliefs when counselling two different clients.
 To engage in comparative analysis of the treatment goals and interventions of the one
counselling theory when counselling two different clients.
 To engage in comparative analysis of the cultural implications of one counselling theory
when counselling two different clients.
Students will engage in the case conceptualization process for a separate and different client with
whom they are counselling at their practicum site during this trimester term. The case
conceptualization will include the selection of the same major counselling theory (i.e.,
Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, Humanistic, etc.) that was selected for the 7113
Case Conceptualization Paper and Literature Review assignment. Students will also identify the
theoretically-driven treatment goals and objectives, and specific interventions (techniques)
utilized in counselling to facilitate the client’s progress in treatment.
Students will engage in a topical literature review of the current research that relates to the
client’s presenting issue and background of clients, similarly to the client case for this paper.
Keep direct quotes to a minimum, you should paraphrase the information you have reviewed in
your own words.
Introduction
Write a brief introductory paragraph that prepares the reader by identifying the purpose of the
paper and providing the organization of the paper (i.e., the topical headings identify the topics
that will be discussed throughout the paper). This section should be no longer than one
paragraph in length.
The following paper depicts a counsellor in training using the same major counselling theory
they used with their previous client with a new client. The client will be referred to as Wanda, a
65 year old Canadian female who uses she/her pronouns.
Client Information and Client History
Select a different client with whom you have been providing counselling during Practicum and
have been using the same major counselling theory to provide a foundation for counselling
that was identified and discussed in your PSYC 7113 Case Conceptualization & Literature
Review assignment.
Describe the client’s history. Protect the confidentiality of the client by changing any client
identifiers to maintain client confidentiality. Do not copy and paste information contained in the
client’s case file at the practicum site. The description of the client’s information and history
should be no longer than two paragraphs in length. In your own words, include the following
areas of information:
 Client’s age.
 Race or ethnicity.
 Cultural background.
 Gender identity.
 Educational background.
 Family history and currently living situation.
 Previous mental health or medical diagnosis by a mental health or medical professional.
 Identify any current prescribed medications and their dosage.
 Identify any previous formal assessments, including date administered.
 Socioeconomic status.
Client’s Presenting Issues and Concerns
Briefly describe the client’s presenting issues and concerns that the client has stated has brought
him/her/they/them to counselling at this time. All symptoms are to be clearly identified and
organized. Describe your understanding of the main issues and concerns using clear and concise
terminology. The client’s presenting concerns and issues may be similar or different from the
client that was conceptualized in your Case Conceptualization and Literature Review assignment
completed during 7113 trimester.
This section should be no more than one paragraph containing no more than 4 sentences.
Assessment
Identify and describe the processes used to complete a comprehensive assessment of the client.
Discuss how the assessments were selected (rationale) and how the client’s cultural background
was considered in the selection of assessment instruments. If formal testing was conducted,
provide the name(s) of any formal tests that were administered with dates, results,
recommendations, and relevance of those assessment tools.
If informal tools were used to gather client information, clearly identify the informal tools (e.g.,
review of records, interviews, observations, etc.). Support the discussion with empirical or
professional literature. This section should no more than one paragraph in length.
Theoretical Orientation
Engage in an evaluation of peer-reviewed literature as it pertains to the chosen one counselling

theoretical orientation. The literature review must be specific to the client’s presenting concerns,
culture, and fit for the client. For example, what does the literature state about the most effective
types of counselling approaches used with clients who are similar in background and presenting
issues as your selected client? Prediction of client change will be considered through the lens of
research evidence and specific to the client.
Consider the following points as you engage in the literature review and in your decision-making
process for selecting the same major counselling theory for this client. You may use some of the
same descriptive information about the one major counselling theory from your 7113 Case
Conceptualization & Literature Review assignment paper. Be sure to properly cite yourself to
avoid Self-Plagiarism:
 How would the same counselling theory address the client demographics and key
presenting concerns of this client?
 What does the counsellor hope to accomplish with their work using this theoretical
approach to address this client’s key presenting concerns?
 How does the counsellor facilitate the client’s movement toward psychological health?
Describe an understanding of the health and well-being of the client, including but not limited to
such factors as: medical/health matters or diagnosis, critical events, relationships, work/school,
spirituality, psychometric testing, meaningful activities, and capacity in daily living.
Consider incorporating some of the following points that facilitated your decision-making
process to select the counselling theory for your client:
 What population/problem was the theory created to address? What are the underlying
philosophies?
 What propositions/ideas are at the foundation of the theory?
 How does the theory describe a person’s distress?
 How does the theory describe how a person moves from psychopathology to health?
 What does the counsellor hope to accomplish with their work using this theoretical
approach?
 How does the counsellor facilitate the client’s movement toward psychological health?
 Given the theory you have described, how do you as the counsellor understand the
client’s distress?
Support the discussion with empirical or professional literature.
Cultural Considerations
Describe the complexity of the client’s culture in relation to its history, values, communication
styles, community interaction, and beliefs and practices. Provide evidence of adjustment in your
own attitudes and beliefs because of working within and learning from diversity of communities
and cultures. Assess the impact of assumptions, judgments, and/or biases related to other
cultures. Describe how you incorporate diverse and multiple perspectives when working with
others. Support the discussion with empirical or professional literature. This section should be no
more than 2-4 paragraphs in length.
Ethical Considerations
Identify potential ethical issues that may arise in your work with the client at your practicum site.
Include in this section how personal beliefs may contribute to an ethical issue, e.g, abortion.
Describe the ethical implications of these issues. Identify and apply ethical perspectives/concepts
and to address them, making connections with professional codes of ethics with literature
support. Refer to the specific regulations and ethical standards in your discussion. Support the
discussion with empirical or professional literature. This section should be no more than 1-2
paragraphs in length.
Treatment Plan
In this section, students will present and describe the formulation of this client’s treatment plan to
address the client’s presenting issues and concerns? Include a brief description of how the
treatment goals were discussed with the client.
Identify and describe the structure of the client’s treatment plan. Explain how the components of
the treatment plan align with the theoretical foundation (i.e., the same major counselling theory).
Identify and describe 1-2 long term goals for this client. What makes these goals feasible and
sufficient to address the client’s presenting issues and concerns, from the framework of the one
selected counselling theory? Support the discussion with empirical or professional literature.
This section should be no more than 3 paragraphs in length.
Interventions
Identify 1 intervention for each long-term goal (no more than 2 long term goals) identified in the
previous section, and how the interventions align with the selected counselling theory and the
long-term treatment goals. How are these interventions appropriate and specific to the client, at
this time? Provide empirical or professional literature support for the selection of the
interventions. Support the discussion with empirical or professional literature. This section
should be no more than 2 paragraphs in length.
Comparative Analysis of Theory
In this section, engage in a comparison analysis of the use of the same one major counselling
theory selected for the client discussed in your 7113 Case Conceptualization & Literature
Review assignment and for the client described in this 7203 Capstone Project. In your analysis,
address the following topics:
Analyze the therapeutic relationship between you and each client. Did use of the same
counselling theory impact the therapeutic relationship? If yes, provide a description of the
relationship factors that enhanced the therapeutic alliance, with at least one example. If the
therapeutic relationship experienced a rupture, provide a description of the relationship factors
that had a negative impact, with at least one example. Support the discussion with empirical or
professional literature.
Provide an analysis of the effectiveness of the one major counselling theory’s assumptions,
principles, or foundational beliefs in application to each client’s presenting concerns. Was the
theory effective in addressing each client’s concerns? If yes, provide a description with at least
one example. If not, discuss potential reasons for the differences in effectiveness. Support the
discussion with empirical or professional literature.
Provide an analysis of the effectiveness of the one major counselling theory’s goals and
interventions in addressing each client’s presenting concerns. Was the theory effective for both
clients? If so, provide examples of how the theory was effective for both clients, i.e., client made
progress and/or achieved counselling goals. If not effective, describe and provide examples of
the theory’s limitations for the client to achieve progress and/or achieve counselling goals.
Support the discussion with empirical or professional literature.
Provide an analysis of any cultural implications (positive and negative) of using the same one
counselling theory for both the clients. Describe any differences in life experiences of the client
that may have influenced the theory’s effectiveness to addressing the client’s presenting
concerns. Support the discussion with empirical or professional literature.
Assignment Requirements:
Type and Type Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt. font size.
Length of Paper: 15-20 double-spaced typed pages, not including the title and references page.
Do not exceed the maximum page count.
APA formatting: No table of contents; no abstract. Format the paper in the most current APA
style, APA 7 edition. Please use headings throughout your paper that are consistent with the
th
assignment’s grading rubric (that way you ensure adequately addressing all required areas).
References: A minimum of five (5) scholarly reference sources written within 5-7 years. Aim to
cite scholarly references sources (i.e., text and journal articles) published, unless citing a seminal
reference source. Any sources used to support your assignment paper should be cited using
correct APA formatting (7th ed.).
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Capstone Project 2023

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The recently revised Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Disorder strongly

CPT includes a written narrative account as part of the treatment.

Client Information and Client History

Engage in an evaluation of peer-reviewed literature as it pertains to the chosen one counselling

Support the discussion with empirical or professional literature.

Comparative Analysis of Theory

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