Collaborating with Professionals

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Letter to Psychiatrist

Dr. Feelgood,

I am writing you to today to request your assistance with a client of mine. If your schedule allows your attendance, I am holding a team meeting with several professionals I am reaching out to in an effort to best serve my client on Monday, May 16, at 1:00pm. However, if you are able to assist but can not attend I ask that you contact me to discuss a plan of action in further details. My client is a 31 year old single mother with three children who is suffering from clear signs of anxiety, but possibly something more intense. At this point it is unclear if she could be paranoid or delusional, or if her concerns are valid. Alcoholism may be present, as she admits to frequent use, but further evaluation to determine the degree of abuse is needed. Her children are not involved in treatment as well and there are some sings of possible neglect taking place by her, but a determination is yet to be made. I am hoping that you can perform an assessment of my client and determine 1) Any substance abuse that may be involved and recommended treatment 2) Any mental illness that you are able to see signs of 3) Any psychotropic medications that may be beneficial to the treatment of my client and 4) Any additional consultations you feel may benefit her. I would be happy to share my case notes and findings with you, and she has agreed to this taking place. I am also enclosing her signed consent for consultation for you to place in your records. Please contact me at your earliest convience to let me know if you are able to provide the services requested above, and whether or not you will be able to attend our meeting on Monday.

I look forward to working with you.

Sally Smith

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References

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics

Carney, J. M., & Jefferson, J. F. (2014). Consultation for mental health counselors: Opportunities and guidelines for private practice. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 36(4), 302-314. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/1586086160?accountid=27965

Choy, Sam. Ryan, Joseph P. (2007). Co-occuring problems for substance abusing mothers in child welfare: Matching services to improve family reunification. Children and Youth Services Review, Volume 29, Issue 11, 1395-1410. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.library.capella.edu/science/article/pii/S0190740907001211

Illinois Department of DCFS. (2016). Child Protection. Retrieved from https://www.illinois.gov/dcfs/safekids/reporting/Pages/index.aspx