Select one of the main characters from one of the following movies. o The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) – Graphic violence, language o Gifted (2017) – Language o McFarland, USA (2015) – Language o American History X (1998) – Graphic violence, language, sexual assault, o The Family Stone (2005) – Language o My Sister’s Keeper (2009) – Language

QUESTION

• Select one of the main characters from one of the following movies.
o The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) – Graphic violence, language
o Gifted (2017) – Language
o McFarland, USA (2015) – Language
o American History X (1998) – Graphic violence, language, sexual assault,
o The Family Stone (2005) – Language
o My Sister’s Keeper (2009) – Language
• Approach this character as if he/she is a new client. Discuss engagement, types of assessment and intervention you would utilize with this client, considering his/her individual circumstances and environmental and societal situations. Consider addressing the following:
o Engagement: How will you engage this client? Is he/she likely to be a mandated or voluntary client? Is he/she likely to be resistant to help or openly seeking change? What individual barriers to engagement exist with this client? Provide evidence to support your conclusions.
o Assessment: What type of assessment will work best considering the client system and the presenting problem? Is it formal like a standard tool or an informal conversation? Why did you select this assessment? What is its connection to the client’s situation and presenting problem? What types of information will be relevant to gather in assessment? Which information is not relevant? Provide evidence to support your conclusions.
o Intervention: What intervention(s) would you select for this client? What frameworks, theories, or models will guide your intervention? Why did you select this intervention? What is appropriate about this intervention in relation to the client system?
• You may take liberties with your character and their environments in order to complete this assignment; however, all liberties should reflect the main essence and situation of the character based on the information and context provided in the movie.
• This paper is expected to be a minimum of 2 pages (excluding cover and reference pages), not to exceed 4 pages, typed, double-spaced, grammatically correct, include cover page, include reference page, and conform to APA guidelines.

ANSWER

 Engaging and Assisting the Main Character from “American History X” in a Clinical Setting

Introduction

This essay discusses the engagement, assessment, and intervention strategies for a main character from the movie “American History X” (1998). The selected character, Derek Vinyard, exhibits challenging behaviors, including graphic violence, language, and involvement in a hate group. Through careful analysis of the character’s circumstances and environmental factors, this essay aims to provide insights into the most appropriate approach to engage the client, determine the type of assessment required, and select effective interventions for addressing his individual barriers and fostering positive change.

Engagement

Engaging Derek Vinyard as a client may be a complex process due to his likely mandated status and resistance to help. In the movie, Derek is imprisoned for committing a racially motivated murder (Gvineria, 2021). Thus, it is probable that he would initially be a mandated client, rather than voluntarily seeking assistance. As a result, building trust and establishing a therapeutic alliance become essential. A crucial step in engaging Derek would be acknowledging his perspectives and experiences, which can help counteract his potential resistance and facilitate rapport.

Assessment

Given the client system and presenting problem, a comprehensive assessment is crucial for understanding Derek’s needs and developing appropriate interventions. A combination of formal and informal assessments would be beneficial (Daffin, n.d.). A formal assessment tool, such as the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID), can provide valuable diagnostic information, enabling a better understanding of Derek’s psychological well-being and any potential underlying conditions, such as anger management issues or racial prejudice.

Additionally, informal conversations would allow for a deeper exploration of Derek’s personal history, including his upbringing, family dynamics, and the sociocultural context that contributed to his involvement in the hate group. Open-ended questions and active listening techniques can help gather rich qualitative data, illuminating the specific triggers and perpetuating factors of his extremist beliefs and behaviors.

Intervention

To address Derek’s complex needs, a multi-dimensional intervention approach incorporating various frameworks, theories, and models is warranted. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an effective framework, as it focuses on identifying and challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs, such as racial superiority, and replacing them with more adaptive cognitions. This approach can help Derek develop empathy, enhance self-reflection, and promote personal growth.

A trauma-informed perspective is also crucial when working with Derek, as his involvement in violent activities and exposure to hate-based ideologies may have profound psychological effects (Kramer et al., 2014). Trauma-focused interventions, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, could be beneficial in addressing the underlying traumas and facilitating emotional healing.

Furthermore, incorporating a social systems perspective is important when considering Derek’s individual circumstances. Family therapy, for example, can explore the dynamics between Derek and his family, fostering healthier communication, addressing intergenerational patterns of prejudice, and facilitating reconciliation and forgiveness.

Conclusion

Engaging and assisting a complex character like Derek Vinyard from “American History X” requires a sensitive and holistic approach. By recognizing the potential resistance and individual barriers to engagement, employing a comprehensive assessment approach, and selecting appropriate interventions, clinicians can work towards fostering change and addressing the underlying issues driving his violent and prejudiced behaviors. Implementing frameworks like CBT, trauma-focused interventions, and family therapy can help Derek develop new perspectives, promote personal growth, and reintegrate into society as a more compassionate individual.

References

Daffin, A. B. a. L. W., Jr. (n.d.). Module 3: Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment – Fundamentals of Psychological Disorders. https://opentext.wsu.edu/abnormal-psych/chapter/module-3-clinical-assessment-diagnosis-and-treatment/ 

Gvineria, G. (2021). Social Science for Counterterrorism: Putting the Pieces Together. www.academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/49319213/Social_Science_for_Counterterrorism_Putting_the_Pieces_Together 

Kramer, I., Cjp, S., Hartmann, J., & Wichers, M. (2014). A therapeutic application of the experience sampling method in the treatment of depression: A randomized. . . ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259963668_A_therapeutic_application_of_the_experience_sampling_method_in_the_treatment_of_depression_A_randomized_controlled_trial