Essay Instructions: PLEASE ONLY ASSIGN TO WRITER # writingptb.
Text books used for the class
Herman, J. (1992)
Trauma and Recovery
PerryBruce
(2008)
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
Vandernoot Lipsky, L. & C. Burk (2009)
Trauma Stewardship
This paper should be no more than 10 pages (# 12 font) double spaced, not including the reference page. You will need 5 APA cites. You can use the two required texts, articles from the WEB CT for the course, your own researched materials or materials from advanced clinical electives. You CANNOT use 1st year foundation course texts. Although you will use the DSM-IV for this paper, you should have five other cites.
The point of this assignment is: 1) to apply theory to practice and 2) put one of your trauma cases under a microscope and think critically about it. You can write about a client (child or adult) who has experienced childhood trauma. The trauma itself need not have been discussed in the therapy. As long as the trauma informs your formulation, your ideas about what the problem might be, that is good enough. You can write about a person from you internship or paid employment. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WRITE ABOUT YOURSELF, A FAMILY MEMBER OR A VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE.
Presenting problem: Try to keep this to a half-page speaking in broad terms. I don?t need a lot of detail unless there is something so specific (ie the offender died after the disclosure or the child was not believed) that it becomes integral to the treatment. Essentially answer: Why did this person seek (or was referred to) treatment? What is his/her trauma background?
Differential Diagnosis: Do all Five Axis. Walk me through your decision making process. Write about other diagnoses you considered and why you ruled them out. If your agency has already diagnosed the person, you can disagree with them. If your agency does not require a diagnosis (ie public schools), you still need to do this part of the paper. Are there any organic or biological contributions to the problem (ie genetic inclination, lead poisoning, head injury, Fetal Alcohol Effects just to name a few)?
Macro Analysis: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the larger systems that the person exists within? Family, neighborhood, culture, ethnicity, class, gender, race, physical disability, age, religion, immigration status, etc. For example, an adult male survivor of sexual abuse would have the macro weaknesses of boys not being allowed to talk about sexual abuse. However, the recent disclosures about sexual abuse by various types of clergy changed that somewhat making the media coverage a macro strength. But then again, one could not get away from the media coverage which could contribute to a male survivor?s symptoms.
Intervention that went well: Intervention does not mean interpretation or insight that leads to an ?aha! moment.? An intervention could be showing up each week or the use of non-directive play therapy. Apply theory. Why do you think this worked out? If possible, use some of Herman?s ideas or her model. Because this is an important part of the paper, it could be two or three pages long.
Intervention that went less well: Again, this could be a referral to group, a suggestion of family therapy, a comment that the client had a strong reaction to. Using theory, look back and explain why it was less-than-successful. What would you do differently now?
Transference/Countertransference: Who did you represent to the client? Who did they represent (if anyone) to you? In what way was this client your teacher? What did you learn from the relationship? It is likely you will want to use Jim Chu?s article (on WebCT for the course on this section.
Treatment Plan: The two intervention sections and the transference/countertransference sections will be the bulk of the paper. BE BRIEF, perhaps one-half page. If you will be continuing with the client and don?t have to identify ?next steps? for the new therapist, write about where you think you are going with this client.
Students write highly effective papers about clients they have seen a handful of times. Again, you do not need to have gotten deeply in to the trauma history. As long as you make connections in your mind between the client?s past and the symptoms today, that is enough.
This is meant to be an integrative paper from the two years (or more) of social work education. It might seem like a lot for 10 pages, but oddly enough, many students end up enjoying it. Their experience is that it ?pulls together? much of what they?ve learned and gives them confidence in the skills that they have. I am around A LOT (except for Passover) so let?s talk if you have any worries.