Assignment:

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by providing feedback based on an existential-humanistic therapeutic perspective. Support your feedback with evidence-based literature and/or your own experiences with clients. In APA Format, provide at least 2 references no more five year old.

Colleagues Respond# 1

Working with immigrants on helping them overcome their mental health struggles, as well as successfully integrate into the US culture requires cultural sensitivity from the therapist. While many immigrants are highly motivated to learn English and engage in the labor market, they also often face many risks, including poverty, discrimination, taxing occupations, fewer years of schooling, and social isolation (APA, 2013). It would be incorrect to blame patient’s struggles entirely on the fact of his immigration, but immigration is rather the contributing factor in his situation. I agree that CBT is a good choice of therapy for this patient. Given the patients age and cultural background, I would also suggest that REBT would be a good option for him to try. It can help him to better navigate his emotions such as anxiety, depression, and extreme or inappropriate anger. This approach is also used to help change stressful and self-defeating behaviors, such as aggression, and procrastination. REBT would help the patient face his fears of socializing and work on becoming a productive member of society. Given the patient’s cultural background and presented MH history, I would emphasize that the patient is also at risk of substance use disorder and should be screened for that on each session. Also, suicidality is a known side effects of SSRI’s, so it should be investigated if Zoloft contributed to patient’s suicide attempts.

Colleagues Respond# 2

Your patient chief complains seem to be coming from PTSD and him being noncompliant makes it difficult for treatment. Symptoms presented are common with PTSD such as nightmares, night sweats, insomnia and using substance to feel better which might last only for the same day. (Simpson et al.,2014). Treating PTSD together with alcoholism can be complicated. In some studies, Sertraline was found to be effective (Bisson & Roberts,2015).  This patient’s treatment plan must target both his PTSD and Alcohol and substance use at the same time for a better outcome. Psychotherapy is effective long term and short term for the treatment of PTSD but will not stop him from drinking. CBT together with Sertraline might be helpful. I will also add in some supportive therapy since it is also been effective in allowing the patient to interact and have support in a group setting (Bruce & Jongsma, 2010b). This might motivate the patient to be more compliant with treatment while getting support from peers.