Each mental health practitioner must decide on a style or approach that is both effective but also fits with their worldview. This may involve integrating a number of approaches or practicing with one specific modality in mind. However, an inability to refine your understanding of specific approaches or a lack of insightfulness about your own experiences will limit your effectiveness. This assignment will test your ability to apply a particular theoretical approach while considering the social and environmental context of a specific experience. For this assignment, complete the following:
- Identify a major problem or challenge that you have overcome. Note that this challenge must be at least two years ago and one you have overcome (and NOT in the middle of overcoming right now). Do not choose a challenge involving sexual assault or sexual abuse. Do not choose a problem or an event that will likely trigger you. Provide a detailed description of this experience. Reviewing the various discussions of mental health and wellness, what factors contributed to your ability to navigate that crisis or major difficulty? How did the various social factors or statuses surrounding your identity and life contribute to that experience? That is, what factors made it better (i.e., protective factors) and what factors made it worse (stressors)? Review your current family, work, social, educational history to this point; what were the roles of these various domains in facilitating your overall mental and emotional wellness (see the dual continua model to discuss both sides).
- Using a major therapeutic modality of your choice and discussed in this class, discuss how the problem would be conceptualized. Discuss the underlying assumptions that this therapeutic approach makes about the problem you have articulated (Be specific). Please take an opportunity to thoroughly deconstruct the problem from this perspective to understand how you would likely implement this approach in practice. For example, where does this approach assume that the problem originates? What are the implications for this origination and what influence has it exerted over your life? How does this explanation coincide or divert from how you previously made sense of the issue?
- Lastly, construct a treatment plan reflecting the therapeutic modality that you have selected. Consider the problem holistically and include the information discussed in section A to ensure that you address any psychosocial stressors that contribute to the problem. Do not forget to include short-term and long-term goals that both address the problem as well as promote mental health wellness (see the dual continua model).
- As in the first paper, this paper must include strong connections to research, the text and other readings from this class. There need to be a minimum of 5 citations from your text, research, or additional readings used in the class.
This paper will also be evaluated for use of:
· Correct grammar & sentence structure
· Clarity and organization
· Answering all parts of the assignment
· Correct use of APA guidelines for writing papers (e.g., correctly citing sources in the body of the paper)
Paper 2: Know Thyself
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Problem is poorly described/organized and does
not provide sufficient information to theoretically conceptualize the issue.
Factors contributing to the problem are not clearly identified or clearly
linked to the problem. The full continuum of mental health is poorly
described or absent. The major modality identified is not thoroughly
discussed or clearly articulated. Discussion does not indicate the underlying
assumptions of the theory utilized or the potential implications for the life
event conceptualized from that orientation. Approach identified does not
appear appropriate for addressing the problem (or no clear rationale is
provided). Treatment plan is detached from existing theoretical
conceptualization and poor or sufficient goals are established. Arguments and discussions appear to lack
critical thinking skills throughout the paper. Does not demonstrate an
understanding or use of class material (not in the form of citations but
observations).
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Problem is minimally described, and
organizational problems are evident resulting in a minimally complete
conceptualization. Core factors are overlooked or your connection to the
problems seems minimally complete. Full continuum of mental health is minimally
discussed. Some aspects of the modality are discussed while others are
excluded without sufficient rationale. Therapeutic modality and techniques
are used incorrectly or not clearly discussed. Major aspects of the theory
are insufficiently described or are not appropriately addressed. Theory does
not appear appropriate for the problem identified. Some aspect of the treatment plan seem
disconnected from theory, and goals established (both short and long-term) do
not appear appropriate for addressing the problem. Errors in grammar are
apparent contributing to the difficulties in understating argument. Discussion and critical thinking skills
show some development but do not coalesce to produce a complete analysis.
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Problem has a
moderate amount of information that permits transparency between the problem
and your conceptualization. Some factors are directly linked while others are
not clearly connected. Some factors are overlooked or not sufficiently
addressed. Some aspects of the continuum are addressed but important or
salient aspects relevant to the problem are missed. Therapeutic modality is
sufficiently described but lacks some nuance and reveals limited mastery of
its application. Your paper sufficiently utilizes the identified theoretical
modality but importance aspects are overlooked. Method appears appropriate
but more appropriate intervention may better address the problem. Some
aspects of the treatment plan are stronger than others. Treatment plan is
consistent with theoretical modality but greater consistency can be
established. Some grammar problems are apparent. Discussion demonstrates many
components of critical thinking skills but conclusions do not make meaningful
use of this information. Some understanding of course material is apparent in
observations, but understanding is limited or incomplete.
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Problem has a
good amount of detail that clearly connects your problem to your
conceptualization. Most psychosocial factors are clearly described and linked
to your discussion of the problem. Most aspects of the dual continua model
are addressed. Substantial mastery is
demonstrated through therapeutic application. Some minor aspects of the
theory are not sufficiently addressed but the major overarching aspects are
addressed. You fully conceptualize the life event utilizing this theory and
the implications for utilizing it are clear. Treatment plan clearly emerges
from case conceptualization, and is consistent with the theoretical modality
discussed. Both short-term and long-term goals appear appropriate for
addressing the issue discussed. Paper
contains few grammatical errors. Critical thinking skills are apparent
throughout the content of paper. You
demonstrate the ability to take topics discussed in the classroom and
transfers those discussions and observations to practical situations.
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Detail of
problem/quality of description provides complete transparency between the
problem and your conceptualization. Factors are directly connected to the
problem and help to fully define the parameters of your experience.
Assessment of psychosocial factors seems complete. The dual continua model is
completely addressed. Paper fully discusses the implications of the
theoretical modality identified as well as the potential implications for
conceptualizing the problem from that perspective. Conceptualization is clearly linked to the
problem discussed and appears appropriate. Treatment plan developed appears
appropriate given your discussion, adequately develops short-term and
long-term goals with objectives, and clearly follows from your theoretical
modality. Treatment plan clearly emerges from case conceptualization, and is
consistent with the theoretical modality discussed. Both short-term and
long-term goals appear appropriate for addressing the issue discussed.
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0-1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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Section/Components of Paper
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Rating
of Each Section
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Score
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Weight
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Total
Weighted Score
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Description
of major problem
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0
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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5.5
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Discussion and description of
theoretical modality
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0
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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5.5
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Development of treatment plan to
address identified problem
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0
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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5.5
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Organization/Clarity of Discussion
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0
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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1.75
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APA (citations, headings, headers,
cover page)
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0
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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1.75
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Total
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Deductions:
Late
submission – 3 points a day
Lack of required citations- Up to 10
points
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Final Total
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