Psychology Assignment: Genogram, Risk Assessment, and Counselling

This assignment delves into the application of genograms as a tool for understanding family dynamics, identifying potential psychological and medical risks, and exploring the impact of family history on individuals. The student constructs a personal genogram, reflecting on the influence of faith, immigration, and relationships. The assignment further examines suicide risk assessment, detailing factors that indicate high risk, and outlines recommended procedures for counsellors, including maintaining relationships, evaluating risk, and providing support. The student also reflects on their role as a beginner counsellor, acknowledging personal discomfort and the importance of early intervention and self-care. Finally, the assignment analyzes the use of self-disclosure in counselling, exploring its benefits and drawbacks, and providing examples from the film 'Good Will Hunting'.

My genogram
Genogram is a graphic representation of the characteristics, relationships and medical history
of a person's family. they allow clinicians to visualize genetic patterns and psychological
factors that can disrupt or help relationships. It is also used for the identification of behavioral
and recurrent behaviors and the recognition of transmissible tendencies. DeMaria, R., Weeks,
G. R., & Hof, L. (2013)
In the genogram drawing; a square is drawn to represent a male; the circle represents a female
and the lines connecting show the kind of relationship they have. A straight line is a symbol
of a normal plain relationship. There are many symbols in a genogram that can express
emotional relationships legend who can fit together to provide an overall picture of a client’s
emotional life. DeMaria, R., Weeks, G. R., & Hof, L. (2013).
Mcgoldrick and Gerson argue that a genogram depicts aspects that had impacts on the client’s
life events. (McGoldrick, Gerson, Shellenberger, 1999). I practiced this while constructing
my genogram, I could see how our Christian faith impact generations as we have two family
members work as priests (in the Coptic orthodox church priests can marry).
Also, Genograms explains the transgenerational relationships of a family structure and it
gives the clients the opportunity to look at their life from a distance and externalize their
thoughts and feeling by retelling their stories. (Hardy & Laszloffy, 1995).
I reflected on my relationship with my cousins and second cousins and how our immigration
to Australia affected our closeness. Immigration affects relationships.
As Rogers and his colleagues suggested that when clients understand the background of their
families, they can perceive any biological and psychological disorder. Drawing the genogram
of my family I found that I have a high risk of cancer and that the obesity is rooted in my
dad’s family. BECK, R. (1987). Eating disorder is related to anxiety and depression.

Also, I figure out that Mohsen’s (my uncle) broken marriage had a serious effects not only on
his family but on the extended family as well. I found that I still hold some bitterness because
I saw my cousins suffering during my childhood. I have a distant relationship with Fadi and
Paul my cousins since they left the family home.
Although the genogram is a useful tool, the construction of a genogram could trigger
memories and emotions that may disturb the client. McGoldrick and Gerson (1985) claim that
the genogram procedure may have some effects on the client and may be the client is not
ready to deal with these unnecessary implications. Papadopoulos, L., & Bor, R. (1997).
Remembering the loss of my family members wasn’t easy and it triggered grief and sadness.

References:
BECK, R. (1987). The genogram as a process. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 15,
343-352.
Chrzastowski, Szymon K. (2011). A narrative perspective on genograms: Revisiting classical
family therapy methods. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry., 16(4), 635-644.
DeMaria, R., Weeks, G. R., & Hof, L. (2013). Focused genograms : intergenerational
assessment of individuals, couples, and families
Glenn, M. L. (1987). Review of Genograms in family assessment. Family Systems Medicine,
5(1), 132–133. https://doi-org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1037/h0090058
Hardy, K., & Laszloffy, T. (1995). The cultural genogram: Key to training culturally
competent family therapists. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 21, 227–237.
McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Shellenberger, S. (1999). Genograms: Assessment and
intervention. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
Papadopoulos, L., & Bor, R. (1997). Genograms in counselling practice: A review (part 1).
Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 10(1), 17.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1080/09515079708251408
ROGERS, J., DURKIN, M. & KELLY, K. (1985). The family genogram: an underutilized
clinical tool. New Jersey Medicine, 82, 887-892.

Activity 3.2
Part 1
1. The client is in high level of suicidal risk if the responses of the assessment kit
shows some factors. The first four questions of the kit demonstrate the level of the
client’s mental health. Baumeister argues that clients tend to commit suicide in
order to escape negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, stress or any sort of
pain. (Baumeister, 1990)
Joiner claims that if the clients have previous suicidal attempts such as non-
suicidal self-injury, they would familiarise themselves to the pain and may reduce
their fear from death. In this case the clients are in high risk of attempting suicide.
(Joiner, )
Researchers found that if the client prove that they don’t fear death and they are
able to handle physical pain that correlated with the suicide, they will most
probable commit suicide. (Zhang et al., 2017)
Likewise, Pretzel 1972 underscore that the counsellor must take the client’s
previous suicidal attempts very critically because they have already the knowledge
and the skills to accomplish it. (Pretzel, 1972)
Zubrick argues that distressing occurrences can move the clients from moderate
level of suicidal risk to a higher stage of risk. (Zubrick et al., 2016)
Chehil and Kutcher clarify that if the client had chosen the time and the settings of
the suicide then the counsellor should consider it as a high risk of suicidal attempt.
(Chehil & Kutcher, 2012)

2. Some procedure are highly recommended by Sue and Sue which are firstly maintain a
strong relationship with the client, evaluate the suicidal risk, help the clients to soothe their
anxiety and then straightforwardly discuss the outcomes with the clients, their families and
the health care affiliation, in order to arrange a current safety plan for the client. (Sue, Sue,
Sue & Sue, 2013)
In addition, the counsellors should provide a practical coping strategy to the clients, and to
link the patient to accessible support and services resources in their areas. (Chehil & Kutcher,
2012)
web link and the phone number for local Mental Health and Crisis Team for Penrith
area.
Lifeline 13 11 14: 24/7
Likemind : 88808111
https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/penrith/

References
Baumeister, R. F. (1990). Suicide as escape from self. Psychological Review, 97(1), 90–113.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1037/0033-295X.97.1.90
Chehil, S., Kutcher, S., & Kutcher, S. P. (2012). Suicide risk management : A manual for
health professionals. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Distinguishing Pathways from Negative Emotions to Suicide Ideation and to Suicide
Attempt: the Differential Mediating Effects of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury. Journal of Abnormal
Child Psychology, 45(8), 1609–1619. https://doi-org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1007/s10802-
017-0266-
Lifeline.Christian Mission.( n.d.). Retrieved from http://lifeline.org
Penrith. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://likemind.org.au/penrith/
Pretzel, P. (1972). Understanding and counseling the suicidal person. Nashville, Tenn.:
Abingdon.
Sue, D., Sue, D., Sue, D., & Sue, S. (2013). Understanding abnormal behavior. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
Zhang, X., Ren, Y., You, J., Huang, C., Jiang, Y., Lin, M.-P., & Leung, F. (2017). 9
Zubrick SR, Hafekost J, Johnson SE, et al, (in press) Suicidal Behaviours: Prevalence
estimates from the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and

Wellbeing. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry., 50(9), 911–921. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1177/0004867415617837
Part two
1. As a beginner counsellor, I will feel uncomfortable but pleased that the client will
externalise, I may be able to embrace myself and acknowledge my fears and deal with
my current discomfort. I will accept that clients have the right to commit suicide if
they decided to but on the other hand, I will make sure that I provided them with all
services and links available for them. (Geldard, 2017)
Gerdard and Geldard hypotheses claim that immediate action is recommended in
measuring suicidal risk in order to prevent catastrophic events. (Geldard, 2017)So if
the client’s appearance, sex, mental health shows me a sign of probability for suicidal
attempt, I will not hesitate to report risks as early as possible.
2. As a beginning counsellor, I learnt that I must start the suicide screen test early in the
session, to challenge the clients to externalize their feeling and thoughts. To be aware
of my duty of care and take note of all the procedures in managing the case. I learnt
that I must maintain a good relationship with the client, to be a good listener and to be
patient with the client and be very attentive to their “cry of help”. In addition, I need
to have a good support and clinical supervision for myself as a counsellor and be
equipped with all legislation and materials needed at all time.

Reference:
Delfabbro, P. H., Malvaso, C., Winefield, A. H., & Winefield, H. R. (2016). Socio-
demographic, health, and psychological correlates of suicidality severity in Australian
adolescents. Australian Journal of Psychology, 68(4), 261–269. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1111/ajpy.12104
Geldard, D. (2017). Basic personal counselling. South Melbourne, Vic.: Cengage Learning.
Sue, D., Sue, D., Sue, D., & Sue, S. (2013). Understanding abnormal behavior. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin
Activity 5.1
1. Researches claims that the warmer and intimate the counselling room is, the more
effective and associated the client will feel. Photos, painting, books, sign of
believes and ethics such as cross, Bible, statues of buddha are hints =of the

counsellor indirect self-disclosure to the client. (Chaikin, Derlega and Miller,
1976)
Will acquainted himself with Sean’s counselling room, contemplating his books
on the shelf, the photo in the frame and the painting on the wall .these were an
indirect self-disclosure of who Sean is, how he like to spend his time. (good will
hunting, n.d.)
On the other hand, Sandra Petronio and Irwin Altman argue that both client and
counsellor can mark the limits of their privacy (Petronio, 2002)
In good will hunting movie, Sean indirectly disclose himself by being silent for
more than 20 minutes waiting for Will to speak. (good will hunting, n.d.)
Examples of direct self-disclosure:
Self-disclosure in a counselling session is sharing with the clients some personal information
or previous personal experience that can help to enhance the relationship and facilitate the
counselling procedure. The counsellor can self-disclose themselves verbally or non-verbally.
they can share with their clients some information about themselves, about their ethics,
believes or background. Likewise, they can display photos, painting or wear wedding ring or
they can indirectly explain previous experience with different clients. (Miller, 1983)
The Good will hunting movie the scene starting on minutes 47 to 51 is a dialogue between
Sean and Will where Sean self – disclose himself talking about his own experience in life and
how he griefs his wife. (good will hunting, n.d.)
In minute 1:036 another powerful example of self-disclosure was when Sean was telling Will
how he met his wife and how he chose to follow his heart. (good will hunting, n.d.)
Sharing with will the same bad experience rom the past was another self-disclosure from both
counsellor and client in the scene on minute 1:47 to 1:50 (good will hunting, n.d.)

One interaction in which the therapist self-disclosed.
Interaction techniques in counselling support client to develop self - awareness and to
improve their connections with others. (Hodges, 2011)
The scene from minute: 1:47 to 1:50 both client and counsellor interact in a dialogue
expressing the same childhood abuse from their fathers and foster carer. (good will
hunting, n.d.)
By his self - disclosure Sean tried to create an emotional space for a genuine
manifestation of Will’s child abuse and to provoke an expressive response in order to
uncover Will’s blind spots (Hodges, 2011)
Helpful and unhelpful impacts that could arise from the interaction you identified in
question
Researchers found that therapist self – disclosure is an useful tool when it is employed for the
benefits the clients.(Cosby,1973) it promotes trust and improves the therapeutic rapport
between the clients and the counsellors.
The self - disclosure is seen from different perspectives; Mauer,1964 considered, from the
humanistic approaches, as a building relationship tool, as for the behavioural therapists, they
believed that self-disclosure delivers an appropriate experience for the client. (Marlatt, 1970)
Jourard argues that self-disclosure is a reciprocal and interactive experience, progressing
frequently between the counsellor and the client. Wachtel (1993) suggested likewise that in
counselling session therapy, the counsellor self- disclosures are very helpful to the clients
because they dissolve boundaries and enhance closeness. The client will feel more
comprehended and appreciated. (Faber )

Furthermore , Kim at all(2003) consider that approval or reassurance, realities, mindsets,
policies and perceptions are five sorts of disclosure that the counsellors need to weigh and
understand in what degree they will reveal each aspect. (Kim)
On the other hand, Critics proclaim that counsellor self-disclosure may focus more on the
counsellor experience than on the clients ‘issues, also it can simply shift from self- disclosing
to self -involving. (Simone, McCarthy and Skay, 1998)
Studies show that the clients can construed the counsellor’s life experience as a coping model
but at the same time, in other areas, the counsellor’s disclosure may fail them from the figure
of a powerful role model. (Paine at all. 2010.).
References:
Chaikin, A. L., Derlega, V. J., & Miller, S. J. (1976). Effects of room environment on self-
disclosure in a counseling analogue. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 23(5), 479–481.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1037/0022-0167.23.5.479
Edwards, C. E., & Murdock, N. L. (1994). Characteristics of Therapist Self-Disclosure in the
Counseling Process. Journal of Counseling & Development, 72(4), 384–389. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1994.tb00954.x

Farber, B. A. (2006). Self-disclosure in psychotherapy. Retrieved from
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Hodges, S. (2011). The Sentence Stem Technique: An Innovative Interaction Between
Counselor and Client. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 6(3), 234–243. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1080/15401383.2011.607097
Matt Damon, G., & Ben Afflect. (1997). good will hunting [Film].
MILLER, M. (1983). Beyond “Mm-Hm”: The Importance of Counselor
Disclosure. Counseling and Values, 27(2), pp.90-98.
Paine, A. L., Mccarthy Veach, P., Macfarlane, I. M., Thomas, B., Ahrens, M., & Leroy, B. S.
(2010). "What would you do if you were me?" effects of counselor self-disclosure versus
non-disclosure in a hypothetical genetic counseling session.Journal of Genetic
Counseling, 19(6), 570-84. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1007/s10897-010-
9310-4
Petronio, S. (2002). Boundaries of privacy : Dialectics of disclosure. Retrieved from
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Simone, D. H., McCarthy, P., & Skay, C. L. (1998). An Investigation of Client and Counselor
Variables that Influence Likelihood of Counselor Self-Disclosure. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 76(2), 174–182. https://doi-org.ezproxy.navitas.com/10.1002/j.1556-
6676.1998.tb02390.x