Professional Artifacts

Three Artifacts That Are Pertinent to My Future Professional Practice (that I already use!)

Suicide Assessment (SAFE-T Protocol with C-SSRS) – This is a really handy document to use when conducting a suicide assessment on a client. Particularly an intake client who has indicated that they are having suicidal ideations and/or are considering a suicide attempt. I like the way it gives specific phrases one can use to interview the client because a suicide assessment can become uncomfortable when you’re new to it and trying to be sure not to miss any pertinent information. This is the form that my practicum/internship site uses and I will be working there when I get my license so I’m already familiar with it.

ACE Questionnaire – I feel like I want to use this with every new client. During the past year of practicum and internship, I have later learned things about clients that they didn’t share at intake or during the first few weeks (or even months, for some of them) of counseling that would have been very important to have known as they would’ve given my conceptualization of the client a different look and feel. So, I have started using this one with intakes and it’s often rather surprising, what it’ll bring out later on in the session. I like that it’s already out in the open for the client to have the burden of having to pull it into session removed early in therapy.

Telepractice and Questionnaires or Rating Scales – I found this document a while back when I was looking into the MMPI on the Pearson website. It’s full of valuable information that I have used ever since I found it. My entire practice so far has been via telehealth and there are definitely some tricks of the trade that assist in the counseling process. Nowhere is that more evident sometimes than when one is conducting an on-screen assessment. This document is so granular that it suggests proper types of lighting, screen sizes, audio, etc. Very helpful when one is working to properly assess a client. I read back over it occasionally; especially when it’s been a while since I conducted an assessment that is in a longer format.