Clinical Social Work with Families

SSS 822: Clinical Social Work with Families

Final Assignment Instructions

Option #2: Family Theory Application Paper

Students will compose a 10-12 page scholarly paper which provides a clinical assessment of the family from The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.  Students can choose to assess the family system at any point in time over the course of the novel.  Students will write from the perspective of a family systems informed social worker to whom the family has come to for treatment of a specific issue.   Students may compose their paper in a 1st person narrative.

This paper is not a full research paper but should include at least 5 references.  At least 3 of the references should be source material not included in the class readings and assignment list.

Students will:

1) Present a description of the presenting problem(s). Who are the family members who present for treatment and what is their storyline?  Why have they come to see you at this point in time?

2) Identify the family theory or model you would use with this family.   Identify specific goals related to your theory.  Assess this family using at least three concepts from your chosen theory or model. Name and define each concept and explain how it will be applied to this family.

3) Apply at least three techniques from your chosen theory or model of practice. Define them and explain how they would be applied to this family.  Give examples of how you might intervene with these techniques.

4) Throughout your paper and wherever applicable, provide a discussion of issues related to social and cultural diversity as well as clinical social work values.  What issues in these areas impact your choice of treatment model and application of intervention strategies.

Theory Paper Grading Matrix:

Quality of writing. Includes organized introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. Minimal grammatical errors. 20 percent

Focused and well-organized use of references and citations. 10 percent

Addresses cultural and ethical issues related to treatment. 10 percent

Reader is oriented to reason for client family seeking treatment.  Presenting issues are clearly described. 10 percent

Logical choice of theory for family in question. Theory is clearly defined and articulated.  Clinical rationale for choice of theory is provided. 25 percent

Treatment interventions are consistent with theory and goals. Interventions fit needs of family as well as chosen modality. 25 percent