Assessment from a Multicultural and Ethical Perspective
Counselors assess many areas of an individual, including behavior, cognition, personality, intelligence, and achievement. Within each of these areas are specific constructs. Constructs are underlying aspects or traits of an individual, such as anxiety, hostility, motivation, intelligence, self-esteem, creativity, and many more. Many assessment instruments examine these areas and their related constructs. As a future counselor, you must be familiar with bothformal and informal assessment instruments, including how, when, and why they are used, as well as the range of possible outcomes of each (i.e., possible scores). You must also be aware of how ethical standards and multicultural guidelines influence which assessment instruments should be used. Your familiarity with assessment instruments allows you to create a personal toolbox of instruments to use in your future counseling practice.
Post by Day 3 a brief description of the client and counseling issue he or she might present. Then, identify a formal or informal assessment instrument that you might use to assess this individual. Finally, explain why the instrument you selected is appropriate from a multicultural and ethical perspective.
Solution Preview
Julie Robertson was self-referred to this counseling center. Julie is a 24 y/o Irish-American student enrolled in a Master’s program in Humanities. She was birthed and nourished in Australia but moved here for further studies. She self-identifies as middle-class and dwells alone in an off-campus studio-apartment opposite the university. This client has availed herself for therapy for support in dissolving a physically abusive relationship.
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