Case Study

Final Paper

For each of the 3 cases in the files below, provide:

1. Brief summary of presenting problem/ referral information. 

2. Case formulation.

What is your understanding/hypotheses of what the underlying problem is? Consider the child, family and larger context factors present that have predisposed, precipitated and maintained the problem? What are the strengths in each of those domains that can act as protective factors?

3. Diagnosis (es):  What diagnoses would you consider in this case? Explain the diagnoses you considered and why you may have discarded some of them. What do you think is/are the most likely diagnosis(es)? Why?

4. Treatment recommendations and rationale for recommendations. Pay attention to evidence based practices to treat the disorder(s). This section does not have to be extensive since this is a diagnostic, not a treatment course, but you should be able to show that you can make relevant recommendations for treatment. Refer to the paper example provided.

5. Prognosis: What would you say is the prognosis for this case? Briefly give your impressions about case prognosis based on your knowledge of the course of the disorder(s), and the particular characteristics of the identified client and his/her larger context. Make sure to review the textbook as well as the DSM5 for information about this.  (This section was not included in the Paper Example provided.)

Parts 2 and 3, Case formulation and Diagnosis are the most important parts of this paper. I am interested in your diagnostic skills, but most of all in HOW you are approaching the case and thinking clinically, so I am looking for you to explain how you are reaching your diagnostic impressions, what are you considering, what are you ruling out, etc.

For background suggestions on what to consider when writing the Case Formulation, I suggest you read one of the recommended readings in Unit 1: