Question

John is a 41-year-old male who is in treatment for depression and substance dependence. He has reported that he does not have a healthy support system as his family uses drugs and he has no sober friends. John and his family immigrated here from Africa 3 years ago and the transition has been a struggle for him. He is currently unemployed, which he says has made him more depressed. Using the five-stage interview structure, start a treatment plan for Ian with at least 4 goals. Explain the strategies you would take to ensure that the treatment plan is culturally sensitive.

Answer 1

One of the five stage interview model has been given by John Sommers- Flanagan. The steps are as follows-

1- Introduction- This is the stage whereby the two parties, i.e. the interviewee and the interviewer have contact for the first time. The latter may know the former's name and what he/she does, and who the person is. This includes very basic descriptive information. It is from this point onwards the interviewer starts building rapport.

2- Opening of the interview- After descriptive information has been recorded, this stage involves asking the main question of why the client has visited the clinic. This gives insight of the problem from the perspective of the client, the complaint they have etc. The content of this stage involves asking the questions that are more warm and relatively more social than professional.

3- Body- This part of the interview is the main part, whereby the content is obtained regarding the problems and the cause of the problem, the duration etc. These questions are asked in order to probe more about the problem one is facing and following this the psycholoist may recommend some standardized tests in order to reach a proper diagnosis of the client.

4- Closing of the interview- At this stage, the interviewer has to assume a responsibility fo ending the interview properly and close it by providing reassurance that things will be managed, and some hope id given to the clients. They are also summarized as to what their key complaints were. They are made clear of the role of the therapist in the treatment in view of the expectations the client has out of the treatment.

5- Terminating the Interview- Finally, the interviewer terminates the interview. This is not an abrupt ending, rather, it involves skills because the interviewer must be aware as well as sensitive to the client. The interviewer must know that the information gathered is not enough in order to reach a diagnosis for the interviewee.

Since, in the question we already have the information about the client, i.e., John, 41 years old. Following are the goals of the therapy for him.

Although it must be kept in mind that different therapies would have different goals for John. Some approaches allow the client to choose what must be their goals, where as in other therapies it is either both who decide, or the therapist put forth the goals that the client may agree or disagree to.

Reardless, seeing the situation and the state of John, following goals may be of significant to be worked upon.

• Adjustment skills that he needs in order to get used to the place he has moved to. Culture shock definitely causes a lot of problems.
• Substance use reduction. By using medication as well as other support groups.
• Mood Stabilizing. Reducing his low mood.
• Positive support system.

Although it must be kept in mind that these are only major and broad goals provided the information given. The therapist works with even more detailed information and the goals made are more specific.

The main strategy in order to make treatment culturally sensitive is to encourage the client to join support groups, in which he might feel comfortable. He may not all of a sudden find social support but he may meet many who are in the same state as he is, so more relatable people may be there.