Question

You are seeing a family in counseling for the first time. It comes to your attention that there is a history of mental disorders in the family. You determine that you need to take a family history. What should you do?

A) Collect detailed information about each family member's psychiatric diagnoses.
B) Explore family dynamics and relationships without delving into individual diagnoses.
C) Refer each family member to individual therapists for assessment.
D) Ignore the family history and focus solely on the presenting issue.

Answer 1

To address a history of mental disorders in family counseling, detailed information on each family member's psychiatric diagnoses should be collected, while also considering the possible influence of societal factors and genetic predispositions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When counseling a family for the first time and discovering there is a history of mental disorders in the family, it is vital to take a comprehensive family history. The best approach is to collect detailed information about each family member's psychiatric diagnoses (Option A). This should include noting any emotional trauma and seeking appropriate counseling or medical treatment. Completing a mini-census and kinship interview could assist in understanding family dynamics over several generations. It's important also to be aware that societal factors influence behaviors and decisions, which underscores the necessity of empathy and non-judgment in the counseling process. Genetic counseling may be advisable if there is a pattern of inherited diseases, as it can help in understanding the risks of transmission to offspring.