Diagnosis Pros and Cons
Therapists have a legal, professional and ethical obligation to assess whether clients pose a danger to themselves or to others (Corey, Corey, et. al., 2007). Diagnosis allows professionals to communicate among themselves using common language; insurance reimbursement is not possible without a diagnoses; diagnoses helps identify disorders for which pharmacotherapy may be useful, as well as the utilization of therapeutic techniques or interventions empirically found helpful for the specific disorder; diagnoses helps formulate a treatment plan (Corey, Corey, et. al. 2007). Corey, Corey, et. al., (2007) also state that under no circumstances should a clinician compromise the accuracy of a diagnoses by making it “fit” a criteria accepted by an insurance company, as this would constitute fraud.
Criticism related to diagnoses centers around concerns about the DSM. Critics state that the DSM fails to provide convincing evidence for the reliability and validity of diagnostic criteria and standards that are required by other medical specialties, and that it provides insufficient conceptualization of what constitutes mental disorder. This permits the applications of the disorder label to all manner of common human foibles, annoying traits, and bad habits; it has an extensive white male bias, and is prejudicial against women and minority groups; it encourages objectification and labeling of individuals with mental disorders.(Saleebey, 2001)
Saleebey (2001) suggests an additional axis in the DSM which the clinician would populate with the client’s strengths and accomplishments, something that the client has done right and can be proud of.
Saleebey encourages his social work students to use that technique as much as possible to offset the negativity and labeling of the DSM. The Novice Counselor finds this a useful and humane technique that she plans to employ herself.
Diagnosis can be viewed as a process which is embarked upon through the collaboration of the counselor and the client. The counselor can assess the client’s level of functioning and their inner world by identifying the client’s strengths and vulnerabilities; factors contributing to the client’s problems; client’s cultural and ethnic background; their family life and interpersonal relationships; their support system or lack thereof ( Corey, Corey, et. al. 2007). Since finding answers to all these questions may take time, the Novice Counselor has concerns about managed care requirements to attain a diagnosis in as little as one session.
References:
Corey, G., Corey, M., Callanan, P., (2007). Issues and ethics in the helping professions, (7th, ed). United States: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Saleebey, D., (2001) The Diagnostics Strengths Manual?; Journal of Social Work; Volume 46; Number 2
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