Case Study: Sally
Sally is a 34-year-old single Caucasian woman who comes to you seeking assistance for what
she calls her “food problem.” Sally states that she loves food and finds it one of the only
sources of comfort and pleasure in her life. Sally is wearing a tank top and matching shorts.
Her outfit is clean and fashionably in style; however, the clothing appears to be too small for
Sally’s obese body. Sally is sweating a great deal and she is breathless after the short walk
from the parking lot into the office.
During the interview, Sally discloses that she was diagnosed with depression and was
prescribed medication, but she has not been taking it like she should. She clutches the pillows
on the couch to her body throughout the interview and pulls tissues out of a nearby box to wipe
sweat from her face.
Case Analysis:
What are the client’s strengths and how can you apply these strengths to appropriate
interventions?
Sally’s strengths include her desire to make improvements in her life so that she feels better
about herself, her honesty and openness with the human services professional, and her
recognition of the role that food plays in her life.
By acknowledging these strengths to Sally, the counselor reinforces them and supports Sally’s
self-esteem as well as communicates respect towards her.
Using three different appropriate interview techniques, identify each technique as you
work towards appropriate interventions with the client. To do this you will need to
develop a brief dialogue. Remember to consider any ethical and cultural issues. Note
these at the end of your dialogue.
HSP: Sally, I appreciate how open you have been to sharing this information with me, so that
we can work together to address your concerns. (Sustaining Technique) What would you like
to focus on today? (Tried and True Question)
Sally: Well, I cannot take living like this any longer.
HSP: You sound frustrated and ready for a change. (Sustaining technique)
HN205 Unit 6 Assignment Example
2
Sally: Yes, I’m tired of people staring at me and my husband calling me tubby. The medicine
isn’t making the depression go away, so I’ve stopped taking it. The snacks make me feel better
for a while but look at the results.
HSP: “You’re concerned both about your weight and your depression. What connections do
you see between the food intake and your mood? (Elaboration)
Sally: As I mentioned the food makes me feel better for a few minutes but then the sadness
overwhelms me.
HSP: Have you thought about going back to your physician and discussing how the medicine
doesn’t seem to be helping? There are several varieties of anti-depressants on the market and
you can have this conversation with your doctor about looking into other choices. (Exploring
client’s readiness to explore)
Sally: Well, I suppose I could, I do want to feel better about myself.
HSP smiles warmly at Sally (Communicating empathy): Great! Let me know when you have
made an appointment with your physician.
Sally: Okay, I can do that later today.
HSP: Let’s also look at some other ways of managing a depressed mood. Then let’s look at
your relationship with your husband
Sally: (Nods)
Cultural issues considered: There is an expectation in our society that women to be
considered beautiful should be thin. This is reflected in the media and music. Thus women
have self-esteem issues that are connected with the messages communicated in our society.
Ethical issues considered: Contacting Sally’s doctor without her permission to discuss her
discontinuing taking her medicine would be violating confidentiality.
What goals would you want to work with Sally on based on the information available?
Explain why you chose those goals and how you think they will help meet the client’s
needs. Tip: remember that goals are different from case tasks and referrals you might
make to benefit the client and their situation.
Some goals that Sally and I can work towards are the ones she has identified: to lessen the
effects of her depression and to improve her self-esteem by living a healthier lifestyle and not
relying on food to feel good. These goals will help her to feeling better about herself. She
hopes that as she becomes more confident and takes pride in herself, the people she interacts
with will improve their words and actions towards her.
Unit 6 Assignment
Case Analysis
This week, you are going to complete an
Assignment in which you analyze two case studies. You will read each case and
answer the questions included using the information you have gained from this
course so far.Your answer should include an analysis of client
strengths, possible interventions, and a reflection on the possible ethical
issues and cultural influences as they might impact the case.
The information below includes the case
details as well as the analysis questions. Use this document to complete your Assignment.
Your Assignment must be your original work;
plagiarism will not be tolerated. Be sure to review the syllabus in terms of
what constitutes plagiarism.
Case
Study 1: Romeo
Romeo is a 19-year-old Hispanic male. He has
numerous visible tattoos, piercings, and puckered scars. Romeo discloses that
he attempted suicide twice during high school and has lately has been feeling
like he might try again. The last two times he tried, he bought some
prescription drugs off of a local dealer in his neighborhood.
Romeo has no job, is not in school, and is not close
with his family. He is homeless and rotates between different friends’ couches
and the occasional shelter. Romeo admits to gang involvement in the past but refuses
to answer questions about possible current involvement. Romeo states he
currently uses marijuana daily to try to “stay calm.”
Case
Analysis:
What are the client’s strengths and how can you
apply these strengths to appropriate interventions?
Using
three different appropriate interview techniques, identify each technique as
you work towards appropriate interventions with the client. To do this you will
need to develop a brief dialogue. Remember to consider any ethical and cultural
issues. Note these at the end of your dialogue.
What goals would you want to work the client on based on the information
available? Explain why you chose those goals and how you think they will help
meet the client’s needs. Tip: remember that goals are different from case tasks
and referrals you might make to benefit the client and their situation.
Case Study 2: Gladys
Gladys
is a 25-year-old Vietnamese stay-at-home mother who has been married for 7
years and has three children by her husband. They are all girls with the oldest
being 6 years old followed by a 4-year old and now a 3-month old. Gladys
reports that her husband always wanted a son. She states that he has always
been an angry man but after the birth of their third daughter, his violent
behavior has increased. Gladys states that most of his violence and aggression
has been directed at her or the house all these years, but now she fears for
her daughters’ lives. “He’s out of control,” she says during the interview. “I
don’t know what to do.”
Gladys’
family lives in Vietnam and her husband has no family connections. Gladys
reports that her husband pays all the bills and the only money she receives is
a small weekly allowance for food and supplies for her and the girls.
Case
Analysis:
What are the client’s strengths and how can you
apply these strengths to appropriate interventions?
Using
three different appropriate interview techniques, identify each technique as
you work towards appropriate interventions with the client. To do this you will
need to develop a brief dialogue. Remember to consider any ethical and cultural
issues. Note these at the end of your dialogue.
What goals would you want to work with the client on based on the
information available? Explain why you chose those goals and how you think they
will help meet the client’s needs. Tip: remember that goals are different from
case tasks and referrals you might make to benefit the client and their
situation.
