Case Conceptualization & Treatment Planning

Case Conceptualization

This assignment will require students to use the case scenario information to complete a mental health diagnosis. Students will one (1) of three “undiagnosed” the case scenario to complete an assessment of client’s mental wellness; assess client’s social, environmental, community conditions; resources for improving life circumstances; and strengths and risk factors. Students may also consider identifying caregiving concerns or deficit factors (if applicable); cultural, spiritual concerns; resource availability, etc. Students then will be required to use the diagnosis information and write a case conceptualization paper. Students will respond to the following assessment areas:

1. Client and Problem Identification:
   1. Provide a general introduction of client
   2. Describe background, family and relevant history about client
   3. Discuss presenting behavioral/mental health areas of concern for client. Besides client who else is impacted by these concerns (Why and how are they impacted)?
   4. Assess client through a bio/psycho/social lens in order to prepare for a diagnostic consideration. Discuss the prevalence, causation, and/or cultural factors identified/noted that affect client’s well being.
2. Diagnostic Consideration/Thematic Groupings:
   1. Provide a diagnostic consideration (DSM 5) and explanation based on information.
   2. Identify and group specific themes/reasons to why this diagnostic consideration was given. List symptoms identified that match criteria for diagnostic consideration. Make sure you justify diagnosis with information obtained.
   3. What are the most appropriate treatment considerations based on the symptoms indicated. (medications, residential, outpatient, group or individual sessions, substance use treatment, etc.) and why? (be specific, for example is you are considering medication and group therapy then why do you feel like these considerations best fit client’s current situation and diagnostic consideration). Make sure you provide research backing up your treatment suggestion.
3. Theoretical inferences/framework:
   1. Research and discuss the theoretical framework (Attachment Theory, Cognitive Theory, Behavioral Theory, Psychoanalytical Theory, Humanistic Theory, etc.) that best supports client’s symptoms and diagnostic consideration.
   2. Research and explain what treatment approaches (CBT, TFCBT, DBT, Person Centered, etc.) will provide the best outcomes for client. (Students should use internet resources to gain more information about approaches).
   3. If applicable discuss any other coexisting mental health or substance use disorders that you identify and treatment approaches for these concerns. 
   4. Identify and discuss client strengths and risks/challenges.
4. Narrowed Inferences:
   1. This section includes explaining deeper rooted difficulties or areas of concerns identified that have affected client’s areas of functioning (social, work/school, home). You can utilize the theoretical orientation previously identified in section three to further discuss addressing narrowed inferences.
   2. List and describe appropriate community resources and community assessment. This section will include community/area support programs that are applicable and based on the diagnostic consideration and treatment approach. If applicable, include how family or friends are able to provide support for client (or concerns that may come up). (Students should use internet resources to gain more information about the community).

Treatment Plan

Students will develop a treatment plan for their client. Students are required to formulate treatment goals with the client utilizing effective treatment interventions. The treatment plan will include the four treatment plan Action Steps:

• Definition of Problems:
  1. List and describe presenting problems/concerns as seen by client and you (the social worker).
  2. What are characteristics of these problems? What are surrounding influences of the concerns
  3. How long have this been a concern (what has sustained them over a period of time)?
• Goals for Change:
  1. List and describe goals identified with client (make sure goals are specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic, timely/frequency).
  2. Discuss why goals were selected and how they will improve client’s quality of life
• Therapeutic Interventions:
  1. Identify and discuss treatment modality/intervention that will be utilized in order to reach set treatment goals
  2. Identify who will be providing support for client (which can include you or collaborative support), what setting (home, office, treatment center, etc), frequency, etc.
• Outcomes Measure of Change:
  1. Identify and describe measure utilized to evaluate effectiveness of intervention, client’s progression towards goals, and worker effectiveness.
  2. Provide example of measurement tool method.

NOTE: Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning will be 6-8 double spaced APA formatted pages, (not including cover page and reference page).