Reference no: EM133680786

Homework: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Marriage, Couples, Family Counseling Case Conceptualization Form

This Case Conceptualization & Reflection Form will be used in conjunction with your recording homework to analyze your skills demonstration. For this homework, you will complete the case conceptualization on the client you have chosen for your skills demonstration.

Part 1

A. Presenting Problem

To understand the presenting problem, describe the client's past and present. Be sure to address each of the following elements:

1) Demographic information
2) Employmenthistory
3) Relevant legal problems
4) History of counseling
5) Reason for seeking counseling, according to the client
6) Onset and duration of concern
7) Frequency and intensity of symptoms
8) What the client wants to improve

B. Family Structure

Clients and their concerns are shaped by their family structure and stage of development. Be sure to address each of the following elements and their impact:

1) Family of origin and role within
2) Family of choice if different and role within
3) Significant relationships/relationship patterns
4) Children, marriages, divorces
5) Current living arrangements
6) Major losses, family traumas
7) Family mental health history
8) Family substance abuse history
9) Family violence or abuse history
10) Stage of development impacts
11) Developmental challenges

C. Multicultural Considerations

Clients and their concerns are shaped by a multitude of multicultural considerations and their intersectionality. Be sure to address each of the following elements and their impact:

1) Race or ethnicity
2) Religion
3) Ability/disability
4) Sexuality
5) Socioeconomic status
6) Military
7) Criminal justice system
8) Geographic influences
9) Environmental factors
10) Experiences of oppression or marginalization

D. Narrative Summary

Take a step back and, through the lens of your education to this point, work to conceptualize the big picture. Consider the influence of all the information in Part I. Consider how it has all culminated and impacted who your client is and theirworld view. Within that context, consider the problem theypresented with for counseling and address each of the following elements:

1) Describe your understanding of the problem.

2) Describe your observations of the client.

3) Describe your impressions of the client.

4) Describe any factors contributing to or reinforcing the problem.

5) Describe the purpose of the client's behaviors.

6) Describe themes and patterns that emerge or connect.

7) Describe barriers to growth and coping.

8) Describe strengths, assets, protective factors, signs of resilience.

E. DSM-5 Diagnosis

It is of utmost importance to diagnose ethically and responsibly. You must consider all elements covered thus far not only in your understanding of the problem but in rendering a diagnosis. With this in mind, address each of the following elements:

1) DSM-5 diagnosis

2) Rationale for how diagnosis was determined

3) Two other diagnoses considered, but not given

4) Explanation for ruling out diagnoses not given

5) Mental health assessments or scales used

6) Other assessments or scales that could be used

Part 2

A. Theoretical Orientation and Application

Your theoretical orientation influences your counseling approach. While you are likely still in the very early stages of considering and trying on different theoretical orientations, you have likely noticed that some seem to resonate with you more than others. While you have been trained in Person-Centered Theory, consider another orientation that most closely aligns with your understanding of human behavior and your approach to it. In doing so, respond to the following:

1) State your preferred theoretical orientation and the original theorist.

2) Describe what elements of this preferred theoretical orientation resonate with you.

3) Explain how this preferred theoretical orientation approaches client problems.

4) Explain how this preferred theoretical orientation approaches positive change.

5) Describe how this preferred theoretical orientation would make sense of your client's presenting problem.

6) Now select another counseling theory and contrast how it would make sense of your client's presenting problem differently.

B. Treatment Planning

The nature of the treatment plan and evidence-based interventions should coincide with the needs of the client and the theoretical orientation utilized. Additionally, treatment goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely). Using your theoretical foundation of Person-Centered Theory coupled with your preferred theoretical orientation described in Part II, respond to the following elements:

1) Short-term SMART goal for treatment

2) Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work toward this goal

3) Mid-range SMART goal for treatment

4) Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work toward this goal

5) Long-term SMART goal for treatment

6) Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work toward this goal

C. Ethical and Legal Considerations

Nearly all clients and every situation present the possibility for ethical concerns and dilemmas. It is important to be proactive and intentional in our consideration of what those might be. Ethical challenges can arise in a number of ways, including transference/countertransference, court-ordered counseling, informed consent, boundary violations, poor self-care, limits of confidentiality, and mandated reporting. Using the ACA Code of Ethics, reflect on your work with the client and respond to the following:

1) Describe ethical dilemmas present or potentially present.

2) Identify your own barriers or challenges that may complicate the ethical dilemma.

3) Explain the steps you should take to be intentional and proactive in your ethical approach.

D. Social Change Implications

The end of your work with a client should not be the end of your work. Each client impacts us as we impact them. Reflect on your client and their circumstances. Consider their efforts in relation to their successes and failures. Keeping in mind all of the information you have considered for this case and all of the insight you have gained, respond to the following elements:

1) Address the systems and barriersthe client experiences that impacted the current situation and outcomes.

2) If changed or removed, identify what systems and barriers could impact positively upon this individual in the future.

3) Discuss how your work with this client has informed your understanding of a larger social challenge or barrier.

4) Identify steps you could take to effect positive social change in relation to this social challenge or barrier.