Using TAF: Affective, Behavioral, and Cognitive

Using the Triage Assessment Form
Learner First Name MI. Last Name
Capella University
Instructor Name
Abstract
The triage assessment model uses three main domains to assess the severity of a client’s emotional struggle during counseling. This is borne of the idea that all persons have reactions that are unique and follow a specific pattern. The main domains include affective, behavioral and cognitive (Gilliland & James, 2013). The case study in this paper is about Jordan and Jake who are married. Jake has a drinking problem and when Jordan confronts him, he turn violent and unpredictable. Jordan seems reluctant to confront the situation by seeking counselling until a friend insists. Using the triage assessment model form, her situation is assed and rated. In the affective domain she scored 7, 3 in the behavioral domain and 8 in the cognitive domain.
Using the Triage Assessment Form
According to the triage assessment model individuals reactions tend to follow a rather unique and situational pattern. The reaction can be assessed by crisis workers through referring to three main domains (Gilliland & James, 2013). The three main domains in this include the affective, behavioral and cognitive rated with a scale of 1-10 in light of escalating severity. From the three domains the score is therefore rated between 3 and 30 (Gilliland & James, 2013).In light of the affective, this basically refers to the way that the person in question is feeling, the behavioral domain is an assessment of what the person is doing in in the crisis and the cognitive domain relates to the elements of thought; what the subject is thinking. Assessing the affective domain is used in the determination of the subject’s reaction which can be exhibited in three main ways through melancholy, anger or fear.
The main reactions that can be derived from assessing behavioral domain include; avoidance, approach or immobility. This means that the person in question will either have a reaction of flight, fight or simply freeze. The cognitive domain on the other hand refers to the perceptions that the subject has of their situation and the events surrounding it. Ideally the person may perceive the situation and the events associated as a violation of their rights, think of the events as an experience with permanent loss or even a threat from potential detriment (Gilliland & James, 2013). In the case of the perceptions, the subject may have the thought experiences in light of their life values, physical, social, psychological, beliefs and environment.
Triage Assessment of the Client
In light of the affective domain, client scored 7 as they showed signs of moderate impairment. Ideally the patient had signs of “Affect may be incongruent with situation. Extended periods of intense negative moods. Mood is experienced noticeably more intensely than situation warrants. Liability of affect may be present. Effort required to control emotions.” In the case Jordan, here situation had affected her feeling in that she, showed as though she did not have much control over what she felt. She even had signs of shaking from the fear that she experienced. She also experienced anger from the fact that her husband was not changing and he was increasing becoming erratic and unpredictable. In terms of the behavior domain, the client exhibited some element of control even though it was not as profound, she managed to confront her husband over his drinking problem. However, she did not take steps to see a counsellor to help with the situation, until one of her friends who was concerned with her safety, insisted. For this reason she scored 3, in line with the fact that she showed minimal impairment; ‘Occasional use of ineffective coping behaviors. Client performs those tasks necessary for daily functioning, but does so with noticeable effort’. In the domain assessment, the client scored the highest of the three domains as she showed marked impairment in this area. This can be associated with the evidence of, ‘Client plagued by intrusiveness of thoughts regarding crisis event.
The appropriateness of client’s problem-solving and decision-making abilities likely adversely affected by obsessiveness, self-doubt, confusion (Gilliland & James, 2013). Client’s perception and interpretation of crisis event may differ substantially from reality of situation’. The client did not have much control over the negative thoughts associated with the situation, she continually looked at the doorway, as if she expected the husband to come bursting through the door. The fear created by her thoughts caused her to physically shake as she continuously perceived her husband being a danger or in danger.
Diagnostic Skills and Techniques
One of the most effective techniques in screening for addiction, aggression, and anger is by using the hybrid model. One introduces themselves to the clients as a professional (Perez, 2014). The client is then requested to explain they came in. the expert than explores the problem, after which the client is given support by showing them their options and asking them how they felt (Perez, 2014). After establishing the alternatives and evaluating them with the client, it is crucial that they are assisted to reestablish control in the situation at home with Jade. It is important that client maintains commitment to the counseling sessions. The expert should also establish follow ups to make sure that the client is able to handle their future with confidence.
The ABC’s of Assessing Crisis Intervention, is also an effective technique (Dustin K MacDonald, 2015). The expert would first establish a rapport with Jordan with tactics such as keeping arms and legs open, removing any obstacles in between, positioning the body to directly face Jordan and maintaining a solid eye contact (Dustin K MacDonald, 2015). Then the expert can boil down to the problem between Jordan and her husband Jake. In the third step, the counselor should contract Jordan to cope by assisting her to make future decisions.
Developmental and Cultural Considerations in Crisis Assessment and Intervention
When working with the client it is crucial to establish if they have any religious or cultural elements that they observe in their crisis. Some clients will have religious beliefs that they use to cope with their situation. This means it is crucial to establish is Jordan has any religious beliefs that would like observed. This also means that the expert should establish if Jordan has cultural beliefs she would like observed
References
Dustin K MacDonald,. (2015). ABC Model of Crisis Intervention - Dustin K MacDonald. Retrieved 22 January 2016, from http://dustinkmacdonald.com/abc-model-of-crisis-intervention/
Gilliland, B. E., & James, R. K. (2013). Crisis intervention strategies.
James, R. K. & Gilliland, B. E. (2001). Crisis intervention strategies. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Myer, R. A. (2001). Assessment for crisis intervention: A triage assessment model. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Perez, J. (2014). Hybrid Model of Crisis. prezi.com. Retrieved 22 January 2016, from https://prezi.com/6myunl3fh3hf/hybrid-model-of-crisis/
Snyder, C. J. (2006). Exam...