Instructions
Students will engage in formulating a case conceptualization for one case study (provided below). Please be mindful of details:
1) The case study to be used is dictated by your professor. SHOULD YOU CHOSE A CASE STUDY THAT IS NOT DICTATED BY YOUR PROFESSOR, YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO ON THE ASSIGNMENT. Your professor may give you an option to choose one out of the two options below or just one. Please confirm with your professor before moving forward.
2) The theory/frameworks used are to be ones found in the classroom and Young (2021) and Sperry and Sperry (2020) texts ONLY. These may include Solution Focused, Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, Person Centered, Time Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy, Adlerian, and ACT. I WOULD LIKE TO CHOOSE EITHER COGNITIVE- BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY OR PERSON CENTERED THERAPY. It is expected that you use the theory that best fits the case study – you are looking for alignment between client issues and the scientific evidence based practices. IF ANOTHER THEORY IS CHOSEN THAT IS NOT LISTED HERE AND/OR HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY YOUR PROFESSOR, YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO ON THE ASSIGNMENT.
The case conceptualization will include client background and context, the selection of one (1) major counselling theory as the theoretical framework to illustrate the ability to identify how the clients difficulties (specifically symptoms and problems in living) have developed and been maintained. Students will also identify theoretically-driven treatment goals with specific interventions (techniques) utilized in counselling to facilitate the clients progress in treatment. Students will engage in a literature review of the current research that relates to the clients presenting themes.
Provide the following pieces in the final project:
Introduction: Write a brief introductory paragraph that prepares the reader by identifying the purpose of the paper and providing the organization of the paper. Write in first person throughout. Consider that this is YOUR client and this is YOUR case conceptualization that you might share with a supervisor and/or in a clinical meeting.
Client Background and Context: The template provides guidance.
Diagnostic Impression and Assessment of Symptoms: The template provides guidance.
Theoretical Framework/Description of Relevant Theory: The template provides guidance as well. Consider the following points in your decision-making process for selecting and justifying the chosen counselling theory: What population/problem was it created to address? What are the underlying philosophies?; What propositions/ideas are at the foundation of the theory?; How does the theory describe a persons distress?; How does the theory describe how a person moves from psychopathology to health?; Given the theory you have described, how do you as the counsellor understand the clients distress?; Why is this the best choice for your client?; What is the impact of diversity (age, gender, social-cultural background, etc.) on the choices made?
Case Conceptualization Including Treatment Plan and Goals: The template provides guidance.
Literature Exploration: Throughout your paper, you are expected to support your work with empirical and/or professional literature. A “real” case conceptualization does not have this particular section included, as it is implied that you have done this on the back end and will continue to do so with your client in mind as you progress through your work with them. However for the purpose of this paper, you want to share this “background work” in your paper. Things to consider: What research supports your plan for this client that has not already been considered in previous sections? What themes are present in this case that are specific to this client? What is this client bringing to the session that is unique to them that will help guide your case conceptualization? The aim here is to highlight the connection between your unique client and the research.
CASE STUDY OPTION ONE: Ben
Ben is a 40-year-old single, cisgender, heterosexual male. He is a second generation Canadian and grew up in Montreal. He is currently balancing a demanding full-time job while also being a full-time graduate student working on his Masters.
Both of his parents are astronomy professors, and they expected he would become a professor as well. Instead, he chose to become a mental health counsellor. His parents see his entry into this field as frivolous and do not take mental health concerns seriously. They minimize the difficulty of his program and the time he spends studying. When he talks to them about the stress he is experiencing, they dismiss him and talk about how complex their degree programs were and how they are real degrees. When they make these comments, Ben reports he feels hurt and withdraws from them.
Ben has reported feeling sad and empty and finds he is getting irritable about traffic and when reports are not done on time at work things he never let bother him before. While in the past he has enjoyed reading and his group school work, he is finding it hard to muster up the energy to even crack a book and cancelled on his last counselling practice session with his peers. He finds he is moving slower and it is taking him longer and longer to get out of bed in the morning. He used to run a five mile trek near his home, but has forgone this for the past few weeks, claiming his energy is too low for such activity. He is having trouble sleeping, and has lost ten pounds, despite stopping his exercise routine.
At work, he notes he is having difficulty focusing and decision making is not coming as easily as it once did, leaving much undone work on his desk. When asked how long he has been experiencing these things, Ben says they have been going on for about three weeks.
He is concerned that if he cant get out of this funk, his studies are going to suffer and this makes him feel guilty and worthless. Ben hopes counselling will get him back on track and remove this feeling of a wet blanket on everything.
Structure
- Required components: Title page, reference page. An introduction and conclusion are required. Do not add an abstract, appendixes, or table of contents. Do not use a running head.
- Length of Assignment: The text body of paper (i.e., not including references or title page) should consist of approximately 3,000 words, (i.e., 10-12 double-spaced typed pages, Times New Roman font size: 12).
- Format: Please format your assignment in Word (files with extension .doc or .docx)
- References: 10 recent (last 10 years), peer-reviewed journal articles must be included. All sources must be cited within your paper and be present in your references. In ADDITION to the 10 additional peer reviewed resources, you may cite any of the articles in the course readings and your texts or any older (older than 10 years) peer reviewed articles that support the overall topic.