*Please separate this paper into section 1 and section 2
Answer all of the questions and be specific to the reading provided.
Case Study – 40 Points
*You will hypothetically work through counseling with your chosen client.
*Theories can be selected from Theories I and Theories II only- beware of how
many you select, more may not be better.
*APA formatting is expected and will be reflected in the final grade.
*Please separate this paper into section 1 and section 2
*The rubric is only a guideline for how this assignment will be graded.
Section 1
(10% of
your
paper)
Show how you believe this client developed, especially focusing on the
maladaptive behavior.
o Identify the theoretical orientation for this case (list your
combination of theories that you believe will work with this
client).
o Using this theoretical orientation as your lens, explain how you
believe the client’s maladaptive behavior developed.
Outline what your primary treatment goals are for this client- be
specific on what you are focusing on and how you arrived at the goals.
Section 2
(30% of
your
paper)
What do you do in the initial sessions to build rapport and notice
ethical issues? How does that fit into your theoretical orientation?
Include any and all ethical considerations:
o What are your initial clinical impressions in terms of cognition,
behavior and physical appearance?
o What issues presented by the client might have ethical
implications (suicide, homicide, etc.) in the near future, and
what actions might you take to mediate issues?
What techniques would you use in relation to your chosen theoretical
orientation?
o Explain why you chose these techniques and how they fit into
your style.
o If your theories don’t use techniques, then explain why.
What elements of cultural identity and/or background might be
important for you to address with this case and why?
Discuss how you know when termination is appropriate and what you
do to make the client ready to terminate counseling.
Case Study 1: Sarah
Background
Sarah was an only child whose parents separated during her teen years. She felt
isolated and was often bored at school. Her love of art was the only thing that gave her
any enjoyment and she expressed this by covering the school buildings with graffiti after
dark. Already in conflict with her mother due to her poor school performance, the
involvement of the police after she was reported for vandalizing public property further
worsened their relationship. Her father had moved away and was no longer involved in
Sarah’s life.
Sarah left school intending to train as an ambulance medic. On being told she lacked
the life experience required for this work, Sarah joined the Army on a four year contract
hoping to address this requirement. However, the Army turned out to be a repeat of the
constrictive structure within which she had struggled both at school and at home.
Being obligated to complete the full four years, she began to feel increasingly trapped
and was often anxious and depressed. She was introduced to alcohol by her fellow
recruits and began using this as a means of deadening her overwhelmingly negative
feelings about the course her life was taking. After three years in the Army, Sarah was
discharged on medical grounds, having become dependent on alcohol and unable to
control her intake.
Sarah has come to counseling after being discharged. When she presented for
counseling, Sarah had been sober for 55 days and was seeking strategies to cope with
her anxiety that didn’t involve drinking. She is single and living independently. She is
having a hard time adjusting to her previous life outside of the military and feels she
currently lacks a support network and social circle.
She is ready and committed to work on herself.