Case Formulation
Case formulation skills are fundamental to assessment and to providing effective treatment. The organizing structure of the case conceptualization is derived from a trauma-informed strengths based framework. The case conceptualization assignment includes three parts: Part II & III: Part II: Assessment and Case Formulation (this is the assessment of the case which includes explanatory and change-oriented hypotheses) A. Focal Issues a. Nature, duration frequency, severity, and urgency b. Risk and protective factors; exceptions B. Contributing Factors a. Client system factors b. Situational, environmental, and systemic factors (in addition to prose, please include two relevant diagrams—genogram, culturagram, ecomap, spiritual ecomap, personal timeline) c. Motivation and readiness, stage of change C. Case Formulation (requires synthesis of information, proposes change-oriented hypotheses—often targets factors both within the client system and outside the client system (e.g., social and physical environment) D. Include two specific service goals based on a mutually agreed focus of work (the information identified in the assessment process) A. How would you engage the client in both the identification of such treatment goals (complete an action plan) and the complete the action steps needed to fulfill the treatment goals. Part III: Self-Reflection Write a 2 page self-reflection of your experience in the case conceptualization process of assessment and treatment goal planning. Describe feelings and thoughts you had while conducting the interview with the client. Did you feel connected? Was the client engaged? Reflect back on what skills you found yourself using most in the assessment interview and identify them here. Why do you think these were the skills you used most and which ones do you find were missing? How will you incorporate such skills in the next assessment?” Did you feel comfortable during the process? What barriers and or challenges did you experience in conducting this assessment? If you had to do the assessment over, what would you do differently?
