INSTRUCTIONS
As part of the standard of care, therapists develop treatment plans for the clients and families they are doing therapy with. However, the treatment plan will be distinctly different depending on the therapeutic approach the therapist decides to use with the unit of treatment and will be tailored to the unit. Being as postmodern theories give special attention to language, context, and meaning within each family group, developing a treatment plan must be carefully crafted with this in mind.
Below you will be provided a vignette of a family unit that comes to therapy seeking services from you. After you read the vignette, you will develop a treatment plan for the family. Be sure the treatment plan is developed with the therapeutic approach being studied this week and that it specifically discusses the issues seen in the vignette.
Only use the treatment plan template below for this exercise. You will be deducted points if you don’t use this template.
Develop a treatment plan using a Collaborative Language Systems approach. BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE WHOLE FAMILY UNIT IN THE TREATMENT PLAN.
Along with your treatment plan, explore legal and ethical issues related to the case. Including bias, boundaries, referrals, reports, risk assessments, etc. Give special attention to what steps you would take the manage your bias toward the family and how you would take a postmodern approach in the therapeutic interactions and relationship. Make sure every section is filled in the treatment plan template.
In your replies to classmates, discuss the differences and similarities in each other’s treatment plans and the importance of supervision and collaboration on cases.
Vignette
The Gersen family consists of grandparents, Len and Terry, and minors Hollie (4 years old), Luke (12 years old), and Lupe (15 years old). The family is referred by the court after their parents were incarcerated. Len and Terry report that while they are happy to become the children’s caregivers, they are unsure if they will be “good parents”. They mention they still have so much guilt and shame associated with their memories of parenting their children and blame themselves for “the way their children turned out”. While they are eager for a second chance, they feel insecure and anxious over the prospect of parenting at their “old age”. The minors report that they miss their parents but are happy they were placed with their grandparents. They mention that although the haven’t been in touch often, they think their grandparents are “cool”. Hollie shows signs of regression and malnutrition but smiles and engages happily in session. Luke appears lethargic and distracted and answers questions with nonverbal indicators. Lupe appears motivated and congruent and shares that she is relieved that “those chapters of their lives” are over. The family agrees they would like to work on “being close”, “communicating”, and “trusting” each other.
ANSWER
Presenting problem (What issue(s) brings the client to therapy?)
The Gersen family, specifically parents to Hollie, Luke, and Lupe have been incarcerated leaving the three children under the care of their grandparents, Len and Terry. Len and Terry are unsure about the effectiveness of their parenting skills and concede that they have shame and guilt and always blame themselves for how their children turned out. Therefore, the focus is …. To access full answer, use the purchase button below.