Case Conceptualization Student Name Case Name 1 Problem Iden

Case Conceptualizationstudent Namecase Name 1problem Identi

Case Conceptualization student Name: Case Name / #: 1. Problem identification & definition: [1–2 paragraphs] [Primary and contributing concerns for the client] 2. Contextual considerations: [1–2 paragraphs] [What ethical, legal, cultural, or other key considerations need to be considered with this client when creating a treatment plan?] 3. Diagnosis Axis I: [be sure to provide full title and code] Axis II: Axis III: Axis IV: AXIS V: GAF = Diagnostic Comments: [1 paragraph] [Here, provide a brief—no more than 1 paragraph—comment on the justification for your diagnosis] 4. Theoretical Conceptualization: [1–2 paragraphs] [How would your selected theoretical orientation explain the primary issues for this client, and thus which interventions / treatments would be best suited for this client?] 5. Treatment Plan Presenting Issue #1: Strengths: Barriers: Goals: Interventions: Modality / Duration: Measure of Progress: Presenting Issue #2: Strengths: Barriers: Goals: Interventions: Modality / Duration: Measure of Progress: Presenting Issue #3: Strengths: Barriers: Goals: Interventions: Modality / Duration: Measure of Progress: References from Empirically Supported Research Psychotherapy Interventions II Case Study: Joanne Name: Joanne Gender: Female Age: 64 Ethnicity: African American Religion: Methodist Relationship Status: Widowed Description of Presenting Issue: Joanne was referred to you from the pastor at her church who was concerned about her welfare. Six weeks previously, Joanne’s long-time partner, Anne, died of unexpected heart failure. Having been together for 31 years, Joanne reported that she was having significant difficulty “moving on, and taking care of basic things.†She has not returned to her part-time position at the local library, and generally avoids contact with friends and family. She has two adult sons from an early marriage, but says that she does not want to “burden†them with her problems. She has avoided dealing with much of the legal issues and paperwork resulting from her partner’s death. Joanne reports that she ruminates about her relationship with Anne, focusing on feelings about not having appreciated her enough during their time together. She feels “lost†and is unable to find purpose or meaning in her life. She has strong feelings of worthlessness, and spends hours thinking about how she “should†have lived her life. Once an avid hiker and golfer, Joanne has not participated in either since Anne’s death. Joanne reports that she now wakes up late, “putters around the house†and takes a nap in the afternoon. She is eating poorly, relying on take-out food and sweets for meals. Occupational History: After a fulfilling full-time career with the county library, Joanne transitioned to part-time work at age 60 to travel more with Anne. Educational History: Joanne earned a master’s degree in library science. She also took several continuing education courses in creative writing. Medical History: Joanne is being treated for hypertension and diabetes. She is moderately overweight, but was generally fit up through her late 50s. Both pregnancies were normal and uncomplicated. Family History: Joanne is the eldest of six siblings. Her father (deceased) was an officer in the military and the family moved frequently throughout her youth. Joanne is very close to her mother, who now lives in an assisted living home in a town several hours away. Joanne has good relationships with her siblings except for her youngest brother, Roger, who does not “accept her lifestyle.†She and Roger have not spoken for nearly 15 years. Alcohol/Substance Use: Joanne reports drinking occasionally (3–4 times per month). She does not smoke or use recreational drugs. She has been prescribed Ambien by her physician to help her fall asleep and reports that she needs the Ambien “most nights.†· Application: Person-Centered Therapy—Case Conceptualization As you learned in your readings this week, person-centered therapy is a unique school of thought that provides a positive frame for working with clients to make changes in their lives or address problems that arise. Person-centered therapy, as with other therapies, relies on certain core beliefs related to how humans develop, how they handle stress, how they develop problems or symptoms, and how they change. This week, you will conceptualize a new case study, Joanne , through a person-centered approach. To prepare for this assignment: · Review Case Study: Joanne . Think about conceptualizing Joanne and her presenting issues through the lens of person-centered therapy. · Review your Instructor's feedback on your case conceptualizations of Sam and Kyle. · Download and review the Case Conceptualization Exemplar and Case Conceptualization Template . · Review Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the text, Clinical Process: From Conceptualization to Treatment Planning , if needed. · Consult your DSM-5 to formulate a preliminary diagnosis for Joanne's presenting issues. · Conduct a brief literature review (2-3 articles), searching for person-centered interventions that are empirically supported treatments. · Review this week's Web sites for empirically supported treatments. The assignment: (The completed template should be 2–3 · Complete the Case Conceptualization Template for Case Study: Joanne through the lens of person-centered therapy. · Provide specific empirically supported treatments and evidence-based practice interventions. · Include ethical and cultural considerations in your case conceptualization.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Effective case conceptualization is an essential foundational step in delivering client-centered therapy, particularly within the framework of person-centered therapy. Joanne’s case presents a complex tapestry of emotional, physical, and social factors that require an empathetic and culturally sensitive approach to intervention. Her recent loss, health concerns, and social withdrawal highlight the importance of understanding her experiences from a humanistic perspective that emphasizes unconditional positive regard, empathy, and acceptance.

Problem Identification and Definition

Joanne is a 64-year-old African American woman who is experiencing significant grief, depression, and a sense of loss following the death of her long-term partner, Anne. Her primary concerns include her inability to engage in previously enjoyed activities such as hiking and golfing, difficulties in maintaining her daily routines, and feelings of worthlessness and purposelessness. Contributing concerns encompass her social withdrawal, poor nutritional habits, and sleep disturbances, all of which exacerbate her emotional distress. Joanne's feelings of isolation are compounded by her strained relationship with her brother Roger and her reluctance to burden her adult children with her problems, further reinforcing her sense of loneliness.

Contextual Considerations

Creating an effective treatment plan for Joanne necessitates careful consideration of several ethical, cultural, and legal factors. Culturally, as an African American woman, it is crucial to honor her cultural values and beliefs, including her religious faith as a Methodist, which may serve as a source of comfort and resilience. Ethically, ensuring confidentiality and respecting her autonomy are paramount, especially considering her desire not to involve her children or legal affairs. Legally, assessment must include attention to her medical conditions—hypertension and diabetes—and the potential medication interactions, particularly with her use of Ambien. It is also vital to be sensitive to her history of social marginalization, which influences her trust in mental health interventions.

Diagnosis and Diagnostic Comments

Preliminary diagnosis using DSM-5 criteria suggests Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, moderate (F33.1), given her persistent sadness, loss of interest, feelings of worthlessness, and sleep and appetite disturbances. Additionally, her grief reactions may currently be complicated, aligning with Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder, though this is under review for inclusion. Her medical history underscores the need to consider comorbid conditions that influence her mental health status. The GAF score approximately 55 reflects moderate impairment in functioning due to her emotional state and social withdrawal.

Theoretical Conceptualization

Person-centered therapy is grounded in the belief that individuals possess innate resources for growth and healing, and that a supportive therapeutic environment fosters self-actualization. In Joanne’s case, her grief and depression can be approached as natural responses to loss, which require an empathetic environment where she feels unconditionally accepted. Her feelings of worthlessness and lack of purpose are manifestations of diminished self-esteem, which person-centered therapy seeks to enhance through genuine acceptance and empathetic understanding. The core techniques involve providing unconditional positive regard and establishing a non-judgmental therapeutic alliance, thereby facilitating Joanne’s self-exploration and eventual self-acceptance.

Proposed Treatment Plan

Presenting Issue #1: Grief and Depression

  • Strengths: Joanne demonstrates intellectual engagement, has a supportive religious community, and possesses education and coping skills.
  • Barriers: Social withdrawal, feelings of worthlessness, poor self-care, medication dependence, and grief-related numbness.
  • Goals: Foster emotional expression, increase self-awareness, enhance self-acceptance, and facilitate return to enjoyable activities.
  • Interventions: Active listening, empathetic understanding, validation of feelings, and exploring her personal values and aspirations.
  • Modality / Duration: Individual person-centered therapy sessions, weekly, over three months.
  • Measure of Progress: Improved mood, increased activity engagement, and self-reported feelings of acceptance.

Presenting Issue #2: Social Isolation and Relationship Strain

  • Strengths: Close relationship with her mother and initial openness in therapy.
  • Barriers: Estranged relationship with her brother, reluctance to involve her family, and avoidance of social participation.
  • Goals: Rebuild social connections, improve communication skills, and strengthen her support network.
  • Interventions: Reflection on interpersonal experiences, facilitating insight into relationship patterns, and role-playing social interactions.
  • Modality / Duration: Individual therapy, weekly, over four months.
  • Measure of Progress: Increased social engagement, reduced feelings of loneliness, and improved communication.

Presenting Issue #3: Sleep and Physical Health Management

  • Strengths: Medical attention received, willingness to consider behavioral adjustments.
  • Barriers: Dependency on medication, poor sleep hygiene, and possible medical complications.
  • Goals: Improve sleep hygiene, reduce medication reliance, and enhance overall physical health.
  • Interventions: Psychoeducation about sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, and collaboration with her medical providers.
  • Modality / Duration: Brief integrated approach, including supportive therapy and coordination with medical treatment, over two months.
  • Measure of Progress: Better sleep patterns, decreased medication use, and overall health stabilization.

Empirically Supported Treatments and Interventions

Although person-centered therapy emphasizes the therapeutic relationship over specific techniques, research indicates that the therapeutic alliance itself produces substantial benefits in treating depression and grief (Norcross & Wampold, 2011). Empirically supported interventions that can complement this approach include meaning-centered therapy, which fosters personal growth and purpose (Breitbart et al., 2015), and interpersonal therapy, which focuses on building social support networks (Weissman et al., 2000). Additionally, relaxation and mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated efficacy for improving sleep and reducing anxiety (Hofmann et al., 2010). Integrating these treatments within a person-centered framework can enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic efforts tailored to Joanne’s needs.

Ethical and Cultural Considerations

Providing culturally sensitive care is vital when working with Joanne. Acknowledging her religious faith as a Methodist can serve as an asset in her healing process, aligning with her cultural identity and fostering hope. Ethically, maintaining confidentiality and respecting her autonomy in decision-making are priorities, especially given her desire to process her grief privately without legal or family involvement. It is necessary to be sensitive to potential racial biases or stereotypes that could influence therapeutic engagement. Moreover, collaboration with her medical team ensures an integrated approach that considers her physical health, medication interactions, and overall well-being. Building trust through genuine acceptance and culturally informed practices will lay a solid foundation for effective intervention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a person-centered approach offers a compassionate and empowering pathway for Joanne to navigate her grief, enhance her self-awareness, and reconnect with her social environment. By fostering a non-judgmental, empathetic therapeutic alliance, tailored interventions can promote healing and self-acceptance. Recognizing the importance of cultural, ethical, and medical factors ensures that treatment is holistic, respectful, and responsive to her unique experiences and needs. This individualized approach aims not only to alleviate her current symptoms but also to facilitate sustainable growth and well-being.

References

  • Breitbart, W., Popp, J., Lo, C., et al. (2015). Meaning-centered psychotherapy in palliative care: The future of psychosocial care in advanced cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 33(10), 1145-1151.
  • Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(2), 169-183.
  • Norcross, J. C., & Wampold, B. E. (2011). Evidence-based therapy relationships: Research conclusions and clinical practices. Psychotherapy, 48(1), 98-102.
  • Weissman, M. M., Markowitz, J. C., & Klerman, G. L. (2000). Comprehensive Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Basic Books.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
  • Husain, I., & Tandon, R. (2010). Psychotherapy in the treatment of depression. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(Suppl 1), S170-S174.
  • Snyder, C. R. (2000). Coping and hope: Foundations of optimistic action. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(4), 371-386.
  • Unterberg, A. W., et al. (2004). Psychiatric morbidity in neurological disorders. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 75, 919-925.
  • Johnson, S. (2019). Embracing cultural diversity in psychotherapy practice. American Psychologist, 74(4), 441-453.
  • Khoury, B., et al. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(6), 763-771.

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