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Ms. Washburn Case Study

1. What are important characteristics of Ms. Washburn that need to be considered?

The important characteristics of Ms. Washburn that need to be considered include being her advanced age. The client is aged seventy-six, making her susceptible to adverse outcomes such as falls. Subsequently, another significant characteristic is her loneliness. The client lives alone and is not socially active; hence the possibility of being mentally affected by the issues she has experienced are high. Also, she is an African American, making her vulnerable to discrimination. Further, Ms. Washburn has experienced several tragedies, including losing her son, daughter-in-law, husband, and grandson. She also has a chronic ailment, a significant cause of distress.

2. How might your own identity and characteristics affect rapport and engagement with the client?

My identity and characteristics are fundamental in creating a rapport with Ms. Washburn. Firstly, I am trained to handle cases such as those she presents with; hence I have the skills needed to handle her effectively. Subsequently, some of my characteristics that will help in our therapeutic engagement include being an active listener; hence, I will listen carefully to all her worries, fears, and concerns. I am also empathetic; therefore, I can understand and relate to her problems.

3. What specific and concrete actions will you take in your first meeting with Ms. Washburn that will promote engagement?

The actions in the first meeting with Ms. Washburn that will promote therapeutic engagement include building a relationship with her. Building a relationship with the client entails introducing oneself and letting her know the role I intend to play in her life. It also includes asking fundamental questions about her to learn more about her situation and the challenges she could be facing. The second process is listening carefully to any information she shares and answering any questions she asks. The process helps create a trusting relationship with the client essential to a positive therapeutic relationship. Thirdly, it is necessary to establish the intervention goals so that the client is aware of what to expect. These actions make the client more trustful and willing to share more.

4. What steps do you need to take regarding self-awareness that will help you work with Ms. Washburn? What beliefs do you have regarding working with someone with her characteristics that could impact the relationship?

The self-awareness steps that I will take to help me work with Ms. Washburn include analyzing my thoughts and perceptions and identifying any biases that may affect how I handle the case. It includes carrying out a self-examination to identify any prejudices that I may be harboring due to the patient's race or age that may impact the therapeutic relationship and finding ways of overcoming them. It also includes deducing any weaknesses that I may have while dealing with the client, such as being emotionally involved with the case and how to avoid them. Currently, I have no beliefs about working with a person with her characteristics that may affect the therapeutic alliance.

5. Review the information for standard 1 in the NASW Code of Ethics. Which two standards within that group do you believe are MOST important in the stage of working with Ms. Washburn?

The first principle in the first standards inherent in the NASW code of ethics that are most significant when handling Ms. Washburn at this stage is obtaining her informed consent. Before initiating a therapeutic relationship, it is significant for the client to consent to the counseling sessions willingly. The process includes informing the client clearly about what the counseling process entails, such as the services she will receive and its cost. It also includes enlightening the client about other strategies she can use to overcome the psychological distress that she is going through. The second significant essential principle when handling Ms. Washburn is cultural competence. As an older African American adult, the client requires services that consider her distinctive needs. Therefore, a social worker handling her case should know her culture and how it impacts her perceptions of her situation and her response to the therapeutic process. Subsequently, the principle indicates that social workers must be adequately skilled in treating diverse clients respectfully and creating excellent therapeutic alliances with them.

Assessment

6. Which theory/approach is MOST helpful in assessing Ms. Washburn? Choose one and share your rationale for choosing it.

The theory that helps assess Ms. Washburn is the cognitive theory. According to the theory, people are thinking beings that, if they change their thinking, their emotions will also change (M.B-Weger, D. Adams, and J. Birkenmaier). Therefore, the decisions people make are based on the circumstances surrounding them. This is the most appropriate theory when examining Ms. Washburn's case because it relates to the case's situation. Ms. Washburn lost her husband, has a son and daughter-in-law who died but fortunately left her with grandson. However, her grandson also died and left her all alone. The client feels like she is destined to live in solitude; as a result, she refrains from engaging in social activities.

7. Based on your theory/approach, develop a set of questions (remember- open-ended when possible) to ask Ms. Washburn to learn more about the situation. In your notes, list at least five questions to use.

The set of questions that I can ask Ms. Washburn to learn more about her situation include:

· What does the loss of three of your loved ones make you feel?

· How often do you interact with other people, like attend social events or visit friends?

· How does it feel to be constantly alone?

· What challenges have you experienced following the loss of your loved ones?

· What gives you a sense of fulfillment?

8. Which assessment tool (see the tools in Chapter 4) could be helpful in assessing Ms. Washburn? Choose one and share your rationale for its use. Are there others that you know of that may be helpful? If so, name them and provide a rationale.

The most appropriate assessment tool to assess Ms. Washburn is in Chapter 4 Exhibit 4.1 (M.B-Weger, D. Adams, and J. Birkenmaier). The rationale for choosing Exhibit 4.1 as an effective tool in assessing the client is that it helps guide social workers and determine the professional relationship between them and the client.

References

Berg-Weger, M., Adams, D. & Birkenmaier, J. (2020). The Practice of Generalist Social Work. Kansas, KS: Routledge.