CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELINGMARRIAGE, COUPLES, FAMILY COUNSELING
CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION FORM
This Case Conceptualization Form will be used in several ways this quarter to
assist you in developing and strengthening your ability to conceptualize cases.
For the Discussions, it will be used in parts and will be based on a case study
provided. For the Final, it will be completed in full and based on the client you
work with in your Skills Demonstration.
FOR THE WEEK 7 DISCUSSION FORUM
1. Review the Case Study of Charlotte (if enrolled in Practicum Extension,
use the Case Study of Patrick) provided in the Week 7 Learning
Resources.
2. Based on the Case Study, respond fully and in paragraph form to the
prompts below.
3. Type your full responses in complete sentences and in the expandable
cell within each section. The cell will lengthen as you type.
4. Once you have completed all sections of the form, copy and paste the
entire document into the Week 7 Discussion Forum as your Main Post.
PART III
Treatment Planning
The nature of the treatment plan and evidence-based interventions should
coincide with the needs of the client and the theoretical orientation utilized.
Additionally, treatment goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable,
realistic, and timely). Using your theoretical foundation of Person-Centered
Theory coupled with your preferred theoretical orientation described in Part II,
respond to the following elements:
• Short-term SMART goal for treatment
• Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work towards this goal
• Mid-range SMART goal for treatment
• Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work towards this goal
• Long-term SMART goal for treatment
• Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work towards this goal
Your discussion of Treatment Planning should include complete-sentence,
bulleted responses to each of the prompts. In response to the prompts above,
begin typing here:
© 2020 Walden University
Page 1 of 2
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Nearly all clients and every situation present the possibility for ethical concerns and
dilemmas. It is important to be proactive and intentional in our consideration of what
those might be. Ethical challenges can arise in a number of ways, including
transference/countertransference, court-ordered counseling, informed consent,
boundary violations, poor self-care, limits of confidentiality, and mandated reporting, to
name a few. Using the ACA Code of Ethics, reflect on your work with the client and
respond to the following:
• Describe potential ethical dilemmas present or potentially present
• Identify your own barriers or challenges that may complicate the ethical
dilemma
• Explain the steps you should take to be intentional and proactive in your
ethical approach
Your discussion of Ethical and Legal Considerations should include 2–3 wellformed paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
Social Change Implications
The end of your work with a client should not be the end of your work. Each client
impacts us as we impact them. Reflect on your client and their circumstances.
Consider their efforts in relation to their successes and failures. Keeping in mind
all of the information you have considered for this case and all the insight you
have gained, respond to the following elements:
• Address the systems and barriers the client experiences that impacted the
current situation and outcomes
• If changed or removed, identify what systems and barriers could impact
positively upon this individual in the future
• Discuss how your work with this client has informed your understanding of
a larger social challenge or barrier
• Identify steps you could take to effect positive social change in relation to
this social challenge or barrier
Your discussion of Social Change Implications should include 2–3 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
© 2020 Walden University
Page 2 of 2
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
MARRIAGE, COUPLES, FAMILY COUNSELING
CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION FORM
This Case Conceptualization Form has been used in several ways this quarter to
assist you in developing and strengthening your ability to conceptualize cases.
FOR THE WEEK 10 CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION FINAL
1. Based on the client you worked with in your Week 8 Skills Demonstration,
respond fully and in paragraph form to the prompts below.
2. Type your full responses in complete sentences and in the expandable
cell within each section. The cell will lengthen as you type. Please note
that the minimum length requirements for each section are slightly
increased, as the information is now based on a real client and not on a
case study.
3. Once you have completed all sections of the form, save and upload into
the Gradebook.
PART I
Counselor name:
Client initials:
# of sessions with client:
Client age:
Client race or ethnicity:
Self-identified gender:
Presenting Problem
To understand the presenting problem, describe the client past and present. Be
sure to address each of the following elements:
• Demographic information
• Employment history
• Relevant legal problems
• History of counseling
• Reason for seeking counseling, according to the client
• Onset and duration of concern
• Frequency and intensity of symptoms
• What the client wants to improve
Your discussion of the Presenting Problem should include 3–4 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
Family Structure
Clients and their concerns are shaped by their family structure and stage of
development. Be sure to address each of the following elements and their
impact:
• Family of origin and role within
• Family of choice if different and role within
© 2020 Walden University
Page 1 of 6
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Significant relationships/relationship patterns
Children, marriages, divorces
Current living arrangements
Major losses, traumas
Family mental health history
Family substance abuse history
Family violence or abuse history
Stage of development impacts
Developmental challenges
Your discussion of Family Structure should include 3–4 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
Multicultural Considerations
Clients and their concerns are shaped by a multitude of multicultural
considerations and their intersectionality. Be sure to address each of the
following elements that apply and their impact on the person, the problem, and
the counseling relationship:
• Race, ethnicity
• Religion, spirituality, or faith
• Ability limitations, impairments
• Sexual, affectional orientation
• Cisgender, transgender, or otherwise identified
• Age, generation
• Socioeconomic status, affluence, homelessness
• Military upbringing, involvement, deployment
• Criminal justice system, gang culture, drug culture
• Immigration status, language preference
• Geographic influences, environmental factors
• Experiences of oppression or marginalization
Your discussion of Multicultural Considerations should include 3–4 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
© 2020 Walden University
Page 2 of 6
PART II
Narrative Summary
Take a step back and, through the lens of your education to this point, work to
conceptualize the big picture. Consider the influence of all the information in Part
I. Consider how it has all culminated and impacted who your client is and their
worldview. Within that context, consider the problem they presented with for
counseling and address each of the following elements:
• Describe your understanding of the problem
• Describe your observations of the client
• Describe your impressions of the client
• Describe any factors contributing to or reinforcing the problem
• Describe the purpose of the client’s behaviors
• Describe themes and patterns that emerge or connect
• Describe barriers to growth and coping
• Describe strengths, assets, protective factors, and signs of resilience
Your discussion of the Narrative Summary should include 3–4 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
DSM-5 Diagnosis
It is of utmost importance to diagnose ethically and responsibly. You must
consider all elements covered thus far, not only in your understanding of the
problem, but in rendering a diagnosis. With this in mind, address each of the
following elements:
• DSM-5 diagnosis
• Rationale for how diagnosis was determined
• Two other diagnoses considered, but not given
• Explanation for ruling out diagnoses not given
• Mental health assessments or scales used
• Other assessments or scales that could be used
Your discussion of the DSM-5 Diagnosis should include 3–4 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
Theoretical Orientation and Application
Your theoretical orientation influences your counseling approach. While you are
likely still in the very early stages of considering and trying on different theoretical
orientations, you have likely noticed that some seem to resonate with you more
than others. While you have been trained in Person-Centered Theory, consider
© 2020 Walden University
Page 3 of 6
another orientation that most closely aligns with your understanding of human
behavior and your approach to it. In doing so, respond to the following:
• State your preferred theoretical orientation and the original theorist
• Describe what elements of this preferred theoretical orientation resonate
with you
• Explain how this preferred theoretical orientation approaches client
problems
• Explain how this preferred theoretical orientation approaches positive
change
• Describe how this preferred theoretical orientation would make sense of
your client’s presenting problem
• Now, select another counseling theory and contrast how it would make sense of
your client’s presenting problem differently
Your discussion of Theoretical Orientation should include 3–4 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
© 2020 Walden University
Page 4 of 6
PART III
Treatment Planning
The nature of the treatment plan and evidence-based interventions should
coincide with the needs of the client and the theoretical orientation utilized.
Additionally, treatment goals should be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable,
realistic, and timely). Using your theoretical foundation of Person-Centered
Theory coupled with your preferred theoretical orientation described in Part II,
respond to the following elements:
• Short-term SMART goal for treatment
• Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work towards this goal
• Mid-range SMART goal for treatment
• Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work towards this goal
• Long-term SMART goal for treatment
• Interventions, approaches, and techniques to work towards this goal
Your discussion of Treatment Planning should include complete-sentence,
bulleted responses to each of the prompts. In response to the prompts above,
begin typing here:
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Nearly all clients and every situation present the possibility for ethical concerns and
dilemmas. It is important to be proactive and intentional in our consideration of what
those might be. Ethical challenges can arise in a number of ways, including
transference/countertransference, court-ordered counseling, informed consent,
boundary violations, poor self-care, limits of confidentiality, and mandated reporting, to
name a few. Using the ACA Code of Ethics, reflect on your work with the client and
respond to the following:
• Describe potential ethical dilemmas present or potentially present
• Identify your own barriers or challenges that may complicate the ethical
dilemma
• Explain the steps you should take to be intentional and proactive in your
ethical approach
Your discussion of Ethical and Legal Considerations should include 3–4 wellformed paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
Social Change Implications
The end of your work with a client should not be the end of your work. Each client
impacts us as we impact them. Reflect on your client and their circumstances.
Consider their efforts in relation to their successes and failures. Keeping in mind
© 2020 Walden University
Page 5 of 6
all of the information you have considered for this case and all the insight you
have gained, respond to the following elements:
• Address the systems and barriers the client experiences that impacted the
current situation and outcomes
• If changed or removed, identify what systems and barriers could impact
positively upon this individual in the future
• Discuss how your work with this client has informed your understanding of
a larger social challenge or barrier
• Identify steps you could take to effect positive social change in relation to
this social challenge or barrier
Your discussion of Social Change Implications should include 3–4 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here:
© 2020 Walden University
Page 6 of 6
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
MARRIAGE, COUPLES, FAMILY COUNSELING
CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION FORM
This Case Conceptualization Form will be used in several ways this quarter to
assist you in developing and strengthening your ability to conceptualize cases.
For the Discussions, it will be used in parts and will be based on a case study
provided. For the Final it will be completed in full and based on the client you
work with in your Skills Demonstration.
FOR THE WEEK 5 DISCUSSION FORUM
1. Review the Case Study of Charlotte (if enrolled in Practicum Extension,
use the Case Study of Patrick) provided in the Week 5 Learning
Resources.
2. Based on the Case Study, respond fully and in paragraph form to the
prompts below.
3. Type your full responses in complete sentences and in the expandable
cell within each section. The cell will lengthen as you type.
4. Once you have completed all sections of the form, copy and paste the
entire document into the Week 5 Discussion Forum as your Main Post.
PART II
Narrative Summary
Take a step back and, through the lens of your education to this point, work to
conceptualize the big picture. Consider the influence of all the information in Part
I. Consider how it has all culminated and impacted who your client is and their
world view. Within that context, consider the problem they presented with for
counseling and address each of the following elements:
• Describe your understanding of the problem
• Describe your observations of the client
• Describe your impressions of the client
• Describe any factors contributing to or reinforcing the problem
• Describe the purpose of the client’s behaviors
• Describe themes and patterns that emerge or connect
• Describe barriers to growth and coping
• Describe strengths, assets, protective factors, and signs of resilience
Your discussion of the Narrative Summary should include 2–3 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here: Charlotte
seeks counseling to help her manage anxiety and depression. The client is
observed to be partly groomed but seems psychologically disturbed. She gives
an impression of a person with internal struggles and worries that need a
psychological address. A combination of issues could explain her experiences.
An example includes unsupportive family background and a history of sexual
abuse are potential factors reinforcing the problem.
© 2020 Walden University
Page 1 of 4
The purpose of clients’ behaviors like smoking marijuana is to seek avoidance
of some disturbing experiences. The themes and patterns that connect in the
scenario include a history of trauma, which is sexual abuse, aggression (from
her father), and neglect which connects to her experiences of anxiety,
depression, and esteem issues. A potential barrier to growth includes
inadequate socioeconomic support from her parents. However, she depicts the
strength of accepting her mental health needs as a sign of resilience.
DSM-5 Diagnosis
It is of utmost importance to diagnose ethically and responsibly. You must
consider all elements covered thus far not only in your understanding of the
problem, but in rendering a diagnosis. With this in mind, address each of the
following elements:
• DSM-5 diagnosis
• Rationale for how diagnosis was determined
• Two other diagnoses considered, but not given
• Explanation for ruling out diagnoses not given
• Mental health assessments or scales used
• Other assessments or scales that could be used
Your discussion of the DSM-5 Diagnosis should include 2–3 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here: The client
has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She satisfies the minimum criteria
for this condition according to DSM-5. She has at least one stressor from
criteria A: direct exposure to traumatic events (Watkins et al., 2018). In her
case, the events are sexual and verbal abuse from her previous boyfriend and
father. In Criterion B, the patient has emotional distress after the exposure, and
in Criterion C, she avoidance for trauma by smoking marijuana. The symptoms
also impede her social functionality and occupation.
The patient’s condition can be misdiagnosed as depression (Watkins et al.,
2018). However, this condition is ruled out since she does not have symptoms
of loss of interest in activities, weight loss, insomnia, and suicidal ideation.
Another potential differential diagnosis for the condition is generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD) (Grainger et al., 2022). The absence of excessive anxieties
(apprehensive expectations), insomnia, muscles and headaches, and similar
unexplained pains rule out GAD (Watkins et al., 2018). Physical and mental
health assessment is used in the patient’s Primary Care PTSD Screen. It is a
5-points screening tool that assesses clients’ exposure to traumatic
experiences. Other possible tools include SPAN, SPRINT, and Trauma
Screening Questionnaire (TSQ).
© 2020 Walden University
Page 2 of 4
Theoretical Orientation and Application
Your theoretical orientation influences your counseling approach. While you are
likely still in the very early stages of considering and trying on different theoretical
orientations, you have likely noticed that some seem to resonate with you more
than others. While you have been trained in Person-Centered Theory, consider
another orientation that most closely aligns with your understanding of human
behavior and your approach to it. In doing so, respond to the following:
• State your preferred theoretical orientation and the original theorist
• Describe what elements of this preferred theoretical orientation resonate
with you
• Explain how this preferred theoretical orientation approaches client
problems
• Explain how this preferred theoretical orientation approaches positive
change
• Describe how this preferred theoretical orientation would make sense of
your client’s presenting problem
• Now select another counseling theory and contrast how it would make sense of
your client’s presenting problem differently
Your discussion of Theoretical Orientation should include 2–3 well-formed
paragraphs. In response to the prompts above, begin typing here: The
theoretical orientation preferred for this condition is cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT) by Aaron Beck (1960s) (Chand et al., 2022). Some crucial
theory elements include identifying clients’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
The second element is recognizing how these elements contribute to negative
thinking, prompting a change, and managing the achieved outcomes from the
change (Chand et al., 2022). This theoretical orientation can support the
patient’s long-term recovery by empowering her to challenge negative thoughts
and behaviors that stimulate or enhance PTSD symptoms and manage them
effectively.
CBT promotes positive change by supporting clients to be aware of their
negative and inaccurate thinking to enable them to view challenging situations
more clearly, leading to long-term solutions to their needs (Chand et al., 2022).
The approach would allow the client to identify potential triggers of symptoms
and empower her to change behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that reinforce
those stressors. Another potential theoretical approach to the client’s need
would be dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) (Chand et al., 2022). It would
emphasize the client’s acceptance of the stressors triggering her conditions
and changing them through skills like emotional regulation, tolerance,
mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
© 2020 Walden University
Page 3 of 4
References
Watkins, E. L., Sprang, R. K. & Rothbaum, O. B. (2018). Treating PTSD: A review of
evidence based psychotherapy interventions. Frontier in Behavioral
Neuroscience, 12(2018). Retrieved from
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258/full
Grainger, L., Thompson, Z., Morina, N., Hoppen, T. & Meiser-Stedman, R. (2022).
Association between therapist factors and treatment efficacy in randomized
controlled trials of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and
youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Traumatic Stress,
35(5): 1405-1419.
Chand, P. S., Kuckel, P. D. & Huecker, R. M. (2022). Cognitive behavior therapy.
Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470241/#:~:text=In%20the%201960s%2
C%20Aaron%20Beck,(CBT)%20or%20cognitive%20therapy.
© 2020 Walden University
Page 4 of 4
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
