Case Conceptualization Pt.1
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. This is part one of a three part assignment:
Part I Description of Client
I. Social workers use theories and models to conceptualize client concerns and to select appropriate interventions. Let’s say you choose to use a trauma-informed strengths based assessment strategy, share what this is, how it will inform your case conceptualization and how it might help the client best.
II. Descriptive Data: (reported and observed information—no hypotheses or inferences here)
A. Identification and contact information
B. Person, Family and Household, and Community Systems
C. Presenting Issues
D. Assets, Resources, and Strengths
i. Include 4-5 strengths based questions you used to gather this data. Attach questions in Appendix
E. Referral Source and Collateral Information (if relevant)
F. History: describe history associated with relevant domains below
a. Developmental
b. Personal, familial, cultural
c. Childhood adversity and/or trauma history
i. Include 4-5 childhood adversity/trauma based questions you used to gather this data. Attach questions in Appendix
d. Sexual/gender
e. Alcohol and drug use
f. Medical/physical/biological
g. Legal
h. Educational
i. Employment
j. Recreational
k. Religious, spiritual, philosophical
i. Include 4-5 spirituality based questions you used to gather this data. Attach questions in Appendix
l. Prior mental health, social, or medical services
m. Other
G. Identify one standardized instrument and use it to assess a single relevant aspect of psychosocial functioning/wellbeing with your client (e.g. resilience measure, coping measure, depression inventory, anxiety symptoms, trauma symptoms, drug use, motivation for treatment etc.) Make sure to attach the completed instrument.
