WK 3 Assignment

Case Study 2: Individual Case

You’re Client:

� Charlene—Oldest of two and only daughter in the family, 16 years old. Intelligent and caring, but Her recent patterns of cutting class to hang out with students known as �the bad kids� has caused her once-high GPA to plunge into the failing range. Teachers have noted that Charlene appears to be very distracted and socially disconnected when in class, traits that they had not previously seen with her before this year.

Background:

Charlene’s new and at-risk behavior prompted Kate, the high school guidance counselor, to talk with Charlene. As Charlene walked into Kate’s office, Kate was surprised to see that it wasn’t just Charlene’s school behavior that had changed. Charlene, once known for pulling her long, beautiful hair neatly back into a bun, now let it lay limp in front of her face. Her color-coordinated slacks and blouse were also exchanged for a big jacket and Windbreaker pants. Kate also noted how Charlene seemed to wrap herself inside the jacket—an odd behavior considering how warm the weather was outside.

In talking with Charlene, Kate learned that she felt unsafe at home. Her father, a local handy-man with a high school education, had a history of coming home from work drunk and belligerent. Over the past year, these actions had transformed into physical and verbal abuse toward Charlene specifically. Charlene had never been on a date with a boy, yet her father constantly accused her of �sleeping around� and dressing like a tramp. Charlene said that she felt her mother was too terrified of her father to protect her from his vitriolic language, rage, and drunken rants that centered on her worthlessness. Charlene confided to Kate that she wanted to safely separate from her father and her current home life. Charlene had not attempted to run away because she did not want to abandon her 11-year-old brother Matthew. Though Matthew did not receive any physical or verbal abuse, Charlene was afraid that her father’s temper would be transferred to him if she were to leave.

Kate called the department of social services , which found bruises on Charlene’s arms and back. Charlene and her brother Matthew were immediately placed into a foster home until further evaluation and home visits have been conducted with her mother and father.

Meeting Our Client:

Your first encounter with Charlene is at her new foster home. As you greet her in the kitchen, she seems frightened, yet confident at the same time. Knowing that teens love the occasional junk food, you offer her one of the meals that you picked up from the local fast-food restaurant. As the two of you eat, you casually begin to make small talk about today’s popular music artists. She doesn’t talk much but giggles when you make a bewildered comment about the recent antics of one outlandish pop star. As you continue to engage her in conversation, you turn the topic toward popular comedies that have recently come to theaters. Charlene smiles as you mention one movie that she wants to see. She even excitedly talks about the cast of characters and movie plot. You make her a deal that if she can earn a C or higher on her next test grade, you will take her to see the movie. She agrees and with a sip of your chocolate shakes, this connection with her is your breakthrough for today.

Moving Forward:

Right now, Charlene is very vulnerable. She has been hurt by the two adults who were supposed to put her well-being above their own. Charlene is 16 and able to make her own decisions about attending school and counseling sessions. These two factors are equally important and make your case management plan two-fold . First, you must gain her trust and show her that you are there for her during this traumatic period in her life. Second, you must find the best way to coordinate her care in hopes that your interventions will prove to be successful.