Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

A client with major depression expresses despair after multiple treatment attempts. What should be the FIRST step in developing a treatment plan?

1. Ensure the client's understanding of the treatment process.

2. Help the client identify barriers to success in previous treatment attempts.

3. Suggest that the client set her own objectives.

4. Discuss evidenced-based treatment protocols for major depressive disorder.

The correct answer is: Help the client identify barriers to success in previous treatment attempts.

The first step in developing a treatment plan for a client with major depression who has expressed despair after multiple treatment attempts is to help the client identify barriers to success in previous treatment attempts. This approach allows the therapist to gain insight into what hasn't worked for the client in the past, which is crucial for tailoring a new and more effective treatment strategy. Understanding these barriers can also build rapport with the client, demonstrating that their feelings and experiences are valid and worthy of exploration. Addressing barriers helps to clarify factors that might have contributed to the lack of success in prior treatments, such as misunderstandings about the therapy process, lack of resources, or specific situational challenges the client may face. By identifying these obstacles, the therapist can collaboratively work with the client to develop strategies that enhance the chances of success in the new treatment plan, ultimately contributing to a more personalized and effective therapeutic approach. In contrast, ensuring the client's understanding of the treatment process or discussing evidence-based treatment protocols, while important, may not address the underlying issues that have interfered with success in previous attempts. Similarly, suggesting that the client set her own objectives might be premature if there has been no exploration of previous challenges. Hence, identifying past barriers serves as a foundational step toward rebuilding hope and motivating