Instructions

Describe the case conceptualizationincluding relevant literature, assessments, legal and/or ethical implications of the case, cultural considerations, and any interventions.

Please use the Case Conceptualization Template [DOCX] to organize your case conceptualization. The template provides an outline that indicates the information needed for each section, as well as the resources needed to support it.

If you have not already selected them, please find appropriate resources to support your conceptualization based on the suggested research topics in What You Need to Know for Weeks 4/5, 7, and 8. Research or review the literature related to your case.

Use the Case Conceptualization Template [DOCX], including the sections below.

Presenting Issues

Describe the case, including presenting issues, referral source if other than self, and identification of any personal, family/family of origin, social, emotional, academic, or career issues.

• Specific examples and incidents.
  • For these examples and incidents, use the presented case scenarios, as well as what transpired during your sessions with the role-play client during the face-to-face and the Zoom recorded role play session.
• Support from the literature.
  • This should include literature regarding developmental stages, presenting issues, and concerns for the client as well as cultural considerations, other demographic information, and so on.

Assessment

Discuss the process of the biopsychosocial assessment and identifying additional issues/needs of the client (minimum of three paragraphs).

• In this section, identify what you think might be going on with the client. Use notes from the biopsychosocial assessment, literature to help determine the assessment process, and support choices of formal assessments selected.
  • This is based upon a synthesis of what has been presented in the previous section. It might include a possible diagnosis, social or emotional challenges, developmental stage, or impact of family.
• Describe how would you assess for this (that is, diagnosis, other concerns, social or emotional challenges, and so on) in your setting (school, community/agency, or treatment center).
• Describe formal assessments that could help you or those you would collaborate with to determine what is going on and which interventions might be appropriate. Example: If you think that the client presents with anxiety, you would use the Beck Anxiety Inventory to determine the level of severity. Use literature to support your synthesis and other details in this section.

Ethical and Legal Considerations and Implications

Comprehensively explore the ethical considerations and legal implications of the case and then recommend actions to mitigate risk (minimum of two paragraphs).

• Take a deep look at any legal aspects that might present in this case, as well as the ACA, NAADAC/NCC AP, or ASCA code of ethics and any other appropriate ethical codes related to your setting/specialization.
• Describe what you should or could do as the professional counselor to mitigate the risks.
• Use the appropriate code of ethics and legal resources specific in your state, as well as professional literature to support your considerations.

Multicultural Considerations

Discuss any multicultural/diversity aspects of the case (minimum of two paragraphs).

• This should be supported by the literature as you consider practicing in a culturally competent manner.

Self-Awareness

As the professional counselor, explore any personal biases or triggers that may affect your work with the client. Provide strategies to address personal bias, triggers, and so on. Support your practice in a multiculturally competent manner (minimum of two paragraphs).

• Use literature and codes of ethics to support the strategies mentioned to address personal bias, triggers, and so on.
• This section can be written in the first person.

Interventions

Discuss possible interventions appropriate for the client, presenting issues, and setting, including opportunities for collaboration and consultation (minimum of four paragraphs).

• Utilize literature to support the interventions selected below.
• Individual counseling interventions connected to theory.
• Employee Assistance Programs.
• Group counseling interventions specifically selected for the presenting issue and effective in the educational, mental health, or addictions setting. For example, relapse prevention, grief support, coping skills group.
• School-level interventions such as programs, classroom guidance, and interventions connected to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Community interventions appropriate for the presenting issue in the case.
• Who else would you collaborate with in your role as a counselor in your specialty? Consider the various roles of counselors such as advocate, consultant, or facilitator of system change. (Example: psychiatric consultation regarding medicine, consultation with schools, or with AA meetings).

Conclusion

• This is a narrative (one or two paragraphs) that provides an overview of the case.