Using case #2 in the "case examples" pdf, apply your knowledge of cognitive-behavioral theory through a case analysis/conceptualization and basic treatment plan. Critically analyze the benefits and challenges of this approach
Theoretical Case Analysis Final Paper Instructions Due Wednesday, November 18th at 11:59 PM CST on Canvas
Assignment Goal: Using one of the provided Case Examples, apply your knowledge of the theories covered in class through a case analysis/conceptualization and basic treatment plan. Critically analyze the benefits and challenges of this approach. Assignment Directions: Overview Choose one of the Case Examples posted on the class website. Select one theory that we have already covered in lecture, including Psychodynamic, Feminist, Humanist, Behavior, Cognitive, Mindfulness, or Experiential. You may not choose Integrative, Family, Couples, Group, any Career/Vocational theories, or any other theories. Apply the same theory to the case in both conceptualization and treatment plan. General Outline First, analyze the case in the language of the theory. In other words, how would a therapist from your chosen theoretical orientation describe the client and the presenting issues, including description of the client (e.g., demographics, important biographical information), the nature of the issues and how they are maintained, and hypotheses about their origin. Be sure to provide evidence from the person’s life that suits this type of conceptualization (using details from the Case Example or hypothesizing about the client’s life). Also, consider what additional information/evidence you’d want to gather, given the theory that you’ve chosen. Second, provide a basic treatment plan for this client’s presenting concerns from this theoretical orientation. According to your chosen theory, what is the counselor’s role? How might this role be helpful, of little use, or even harmful in this situation? Outline some approaches to treatment. When you provide a treatment plan, consider the reasons why each intervention, strategy, or technique might produce change. When and how might you employ each technique or strategy? Third, address the strengths and limitations of your conceptualization and treatment plan. You should discuss this with respect to ways in which the conceptualization may be appropriate or inappropriate for this particular client or this particular presenting problem. For example, how might this conceptualization ignore important aspects of the case? What are the cultural considerations in using this theory/therapy with this client? (The key in this section is to make your discussion specific to the case, rather than a general commentary on the strengths and limitations of the theory). Tip: Demonstrate your knowledge of the theory in your application to the case example, rather than simply stating the principles of the theory or the general limitations of the theory. We expect that most of you will use lecture material and course readings as references. You do not have to cite lecture material, but please cite other materials appropriately. Formatting Guidelines: Each paper should be approximately 5-6 pages (not including title page and references), double-spaced and in a 12-point Times New Roman font. Deviation from these guidelines will result in reduced points. Feel free to use first (i.e., pretending you are the therapist) or third person. These should be written in the general format of an essay in APA format (i.e., headings,
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running head, page numbers, title page, & relevant citations in proper format); however you will not have an abstract, results, methods, or discussion sections.
***Papers are due on Canvas by 11:59PM CST on Wednesday, November 18th ***
Late Policy If you know you will be unable to turn in a paper on the day it is due, please make arrangements with the instructors at least one week in advance. If no prior arrangement is made, all late assignments will be marked down a full 10% for each day they are late (i.e., the 10% deduction will apply to papers submitted after 11:59PM CST on 11/18). If you have a legitimate, documented excuse and contact the instructors within 24 hours, your grade will NOT be marked down. Please see http://policy.umn.edu/education/makeupwork for information about accepted excuses. This is worth 15% of your grade. Grading Philosophy Assignments will be graded with attention to both content and overall quality, which includes grammar, spelling, and adherence to assignment guidelines. Please follow the assignment directions and take the time to proofread/edit your papers. If the paper’s mechanical issues detract from the content, your grade will reflect this.
General Tips for Successful Papers
1. Meet with your TA. Your TA will be grading your paper, and you can meet with them to discuss your ideas or ask questions. While they cannot proofread or edit your papers, it is a good opportunity to understand your TA’s expectations when grading your paper. Often students are confused or upset when receiving their final paper grades. The best way to avoid being unhappy about your paper grade is to be proactive and meet with your TA prior to turning in your paper.
2. Develop a theme. a. State your message clearly and concisely in your opening paragraph. b. Conclude with a paragraph that restates the main point(s) you hope to convey. c. The theme should be clear, concise, and specific – rather than global and generalized.
If you write in an overly general manner, your essays will lack a clear focus. d. Develop your thoughts fully, concretely, and logically. Both vagueness and verbosity
often demonstrate a lack of familiarity with the theory. e. In terms of form and organization, your paper should flow well, and your points
should relate to one another. The reader should not have to struggle to discover your intended meaning.
f. Give reasons for your views, rather than making unsupported statements. When you take a position, provide reasons for your position.
3. Use examples. In developing your ideas, use clear examples to illustrate your point. Tie your examples into the point you are making, but avoid giving too many details that are irrelevant to the point.
4. Creativity and depth of thinking. Write a paper that reflects your own uniqueness and ideas, rather than merely giving a summary of the material in the texts.
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a. Focus on a clear position that you take on a specific question or issue. b. Approach the material in an original way. c. Focus on a particular issue or topic that you find personally significant. Since you
have a choice in what aspect to focus on, select an aspect of a problem that will allow you to express your beliefs.
d. Show depth in expanding on your thoughts. 5. Application of the theory to the client and his/her presenting concerns. Many students in
the past have had trouble writing papers that effectively apply the theory to their specific client and his/her presenting problem. This should be done at each appropriate point in the paper – for the conceptualization, the treatment plan, and the advantages and disadvantages of this theory. Again, the point of the paper is to demonstrate your knowledge through critical application of the theory, not just regurgitation. Please consult the grading rubric below.
Theoretical Case Analysis - Grading Rubric
Conceptualization 22 Points Total Discussion of relevant demographic and background information: _____ / 5
Analysis of the presenting program according to the theory (including how and why the issues are manifesting):
_____ / 17
Treatment plan 25 Points Total Discussion of role of counselor: ____ / 12
Description and rationale of treatment: _____ / 13
Strengths & Limitations 16 Points Total Discussion of strengths of theory and treatment:
____ / 8
Discussion of limitations of theory and treatment:
____ / 8
Overall quality 12 Points Total Grammar, proof-reading, clarity of writing Follows formatting guidelines and APA style (running head, page numbers, title page, & relevant citations in proper format)
____/ 6 ____/ 6
Final Grade
____ / 75
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