Reference no: EM133276747

Question: Ben, an 8-year old boy of Asian descent, is brought to your office by his maternal grandmother. The presenting problem is the boy's shyness and low self-esteem. The grandmother says she takes care of the boy while his parents are working. She says the boy will not go to school, and has not gone to school for over a month. The grandmother tells you that Ben has always been an excellent student and had perfect attendance until recently.

You ask Ben to describe why he thinks his grandmother brought him to therapy. He shrugs and tells you that he doesn't like school anymore because peers are making fun of him. When you inquire further, he discloses that when his parents did not show up for a special school event, he started crying. The other kids started laughing at him and teasing him about his family. Ben says that he is too embarrassed to return to school. He refuses to talk about his parents and his feelings.

After some talk with the grandmother, you discover that the boy is "badly mistreated" by his father, who says Ben is a disgrace to his family. When you ask the grandmother to elaborate, she replies, that she very much needs you to get the boy back into school so he will no longer be a disgrace and problem for the family. You notice an uncomfortable look from the boy to his grandmother. When you ask when Ben's parents will be available to attend a session, the grandmother tells you that her daughter and son-in-law work 10-12 hours a day and will not be able to be part of Ben's therapy. When you ask Ben if he would like his parents to participate in his therapy, he just shrugs, but will not respond.

How might you utilize supervision and consultation to address the clinical, cultural and legal/ethical issues present in this case?
Consider:

Developmental issues
Diagnosis
Treatment

Legal and Ethical Issues

Activity Outcomes

Evaluate the various models of supervision.
Recognize ethical and legal considerations in supervision and consultation.