Forum 1

Write two separate responses to discussion that I have written. Each response should be at least 150 words. Write it like a discussion. Below I have labeled each discussion as 1 and 2. Please label your responses as that as well. I will also provide an example of what the responses should sort of look like. Please also use this textbook reference in each: Psychological Testing and Assessment by Cohen & Swerdlik, 2017.

1. In my current job, people who have barriers to employment, whether that is mental or physical, are referred to me. I look for jobs that match the individuals interests and ability, train them on the job, and help them stay in the workforce. One of the things I do is called an intake process, where I interview the individual. During the intake process, I will ask the individual a series of questions about their experience (if they have any), their interests, goals, and skills. After compiling the answers along with social-emotional cues, I decide what kind of jobs I would look for. Another part of my job is that I do situational assessment. In a situational assessment, I will bring the individual to the employer and have them perform the job, so that the individual, the employer, and I get an idea of what the individual is capable of doing. In my opinion, psychological assessment is supported by the Scripture. In the Bible, God consistently tests his people over and over again. Trials are what God uses in us to prepare us for his kingdom through the process of sanctification. Though trials are indeed negative for us in the moment, in the grand scheme of Gods plan, trials helps us grow to love God and pursue holy lives as he has called us to. In the same, we treat PTSD patients by exposing them to their worst fears. What may raise the blood pressure of PTSD patients and brings back tragic memories alleviate their symptoms long term (Foa et al., 2018). The dose of exposure and the setting among other factors are controlled so that the PTSD patients are not put in danger. Similarly God is soveign and is in control, meaning he allows just enough to happen to us as we can handle. For instance, in the story of Job as recorded in Job 1:12, God allowed Satan to bring misery upon Jobs life. But in the end, Job was rewarded by his faithfulness and righteousness. The trials Job face made proved his fear for the Lord but also showed God ultimately allowed for it to happen to strengthens Jobs faith.

2. The psychological assessment tool that I will use is behavioral observation which includes monitoring the actions of others or oneself by visual or electronic means while recording quantitative and/or qualitative information regarding those actions, (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2018). I will also use the similar psychological assessment tool of naturalistic observation which includes observing in the setting in which the behavior would typically be expected to occur, (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2018). I will use behavioral observation as an intern at a center for survivors of sexual abuse. As an intern, I am there to observe and make notes so that I am educated to understand how to help survivors once I am in the position full time. I take notes as I observe in order find out what steps the person should take in order to adjust their situation to become well and then to measure in future observations as to whether the steps are producing the changes needed. I will use naturalistic observation when I am called to an Emergency Room visit for a survivor who has just been sexually abused or when I am called to support the survivor at a court trial to ask for a restraining order for safety and peace of mind.
I believe psychological assessment is a Biblically-supported practice that Christian professionals can use to serve others. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (ESV). God is our ultimate teacher. He is the reason we have the knowledge of psychology to use to help others. It is all part of Gods ultimate plan to love and help all beings. John 14:17 tells us, Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (ESV). Even if a person does not know God personally, because they have never been informed, he or she will be helped by God through me because I am doing His will in using psychological assessment to help them.

REPLY EXAMPLE:
Hello! Getting to know a clients history is an important piece of building a strong course of treatment. I agree that psychological assessments are biblically supported for Christian professionals to use in helping others. Many of the tools explained in our textbook are utilized in a wide range of uses in the educational, counseling, and business world. I think we do have to be careful because psychology is not rooted in biblical or spiritual beliefs, but I believe they can still be used in addition to biblical and spiritual psychology practices.  Using psychological assessments provide details for many intellectual and emotional problems that would be difficult to diagnose without the use of these tools. Different types of assessments have been extremely beneficial whether used for education, business, military, or clinical purposes. As you mentioned, many Christian counselors use these same tools in their practices such as marriage counseling. Sometimes issues that arise in marriages are rooted deeper into an individuals history. Using these assessments, a Christian counselor can better help their clients restore their marriage by dealing with the results of their assessment while integrating biblical truths.

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