Susan is completing her clinical internship at an outpatient clinic in a veterans hospital and is supervised by the director of the clinic. She has been treating Alan, a 30-year-old military officer who fought in Afghanistan, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After four sessions, she believes she sees some reduction in Alan’s sleep disturbance and symptoms of anxiety. She has noticed that he is often in the waiting room on days in which he does not have a scheduled appointment. At least twice during the past 2 weeks, she has also noticed him outside the café where she gets coffee every morning. She raises these behaviors during the next session, and he responds angrily, telling her that he needs to see her more than once a week. Given his progress, she believes that the once-weekly frequency of sessions is sufficient and encourages him to discuss what he believes would be the advantages of additional sessions. He has difficulty explaining why he wants more sessions and kicks the door as he leaves the office. Susan discusses the situation with her supervisor, who suggests some interventions, but these are met with increased anger by Alan, along with reports of increased PTSD symptoms. In addition, Alan is now waiting outside the café every morning when Susan gets her coffee. Discuss the ethical challenges raised by this scenario, the ethical decision-making steps that Susan and her supervisor should consider, and how they should resolve this dilemma.

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

5th Edition

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Chapter1: The Science Of Psychology

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1TY

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Susan is completing her clinical internship at an outpatient clinic in a veterans hospital and is supervised by the director of the clinic. She has been treating Alan, a 30-year-old military officer who fought in Afghanistan, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After four sessions, she believes she sees some reduction in Alan’s sleep disturbance and symptoms of anxiety. She has noticed that he is often in the waiting room on days in which he does not have a scheduled appointment. At least twice during the past 2 weeks, she has also noticed him outside the café where she gets coffee every morning. She raises these behaviors during the next session, and he responds angrily, telling her that he needs to see her more than once a week. Given his progress, she believes that the once-weekly frequency of sessions is sufficient and encourages him to discuss what he believes would be the advantages of additional sessions. He has difficulty explaining why he wants more sessions and kicks the door as he leaves the office. Susan discusses the situation with her supervisor, who suggests some interventions, but these are met with increased anger by Alan, along with reports of increased PTSD symptoms. In addition, Alan is now waiting outside the café every morning when Susan gets her coffee. Discuss the ethical challenges raised by this scenario, the ethical decision-making steps that Susan and her supervisor should consider, and how they should resolve this dilemma.

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