COU101: Assessment 2
Written Essay- – Counselling Theory and Case Study Application (30%) Due Date: Week 9
Word Count: 1500-1800 words
A written essay incorporating a case study and relevant theories in counselling covered during the Trimester.
Report brief:
During the trimester the following theories, (approaches, perspectives, and therapies) have been considered for application when counselling –
• Strength based/empowerment approaches.
• Psychodynamic perspectives
• Systems/ecological approach
• Solution focused therapy
• Person-Centred approach
• Task centred practice
You are required to select ONE case study from the following list and then choose TWO of the theories, (approaches, perspectives, or therapy) that you believe will be appropriate to assist the client(s) discussed in the chosen case study.
Please note that the case study chosen will also be used for the interview and reflection for assessment three and you are required to record this, so you have it for your reflection.
Your task is to apply your TWO chosen counselling theory (approach, perspective, or therapy), whilst comparing the different ways in which each theory (approach, perspective, therapy) could be applied in an effort to help your client(s) with his/her/their problem:
Your answer must include the following:
1. Identification of the historical origins and evolution of BOTH of your chosen theories (approach, perspective, therapy)
2. Details about the typical counsellor/client relationship and any other elements of the chosen theories (approach, perspective, therapy).
3. Application of, comparisonand contrastbetween the two chosen theories, (approach,perspective, therapy).
4. An outline of any ethical/legalissuesto be considered,
5. An explanation of how you would use each of the TWO counselling theoretical approaches, perspectives, or therapies to assist your client – make sure to compare different needs of each theory (approach, perspective, therapy) in relation to techniques.
6. A suggestion of a possible outcome for theclient if the counselling is helpful.
7. You may also suggest the number of sessions, or any other requirements needed for the counselling to go ahead as planned, again comparing, and contrasting the TWO theories (approach, perspective, therapy).
8. A final statement that outlines which of the two theories would best suit the client’s needs, based on your analysis.
Your essay should include at least 8 peer reviewed research articles read, in addition to any textbook references. The articles must be from 2010 or be more recent. Do NOT use older material- find current peer reviewed, academic literature which explores, expands, or adapts older articles
Your essay should also include an introduction, body, and summary in a flowing text. Do not use separate headings. Use APA 7 style referencing, Arial or Times New Roman or Calibri font size 12, double spaced and left aligned. A BCS cover sheet must be attached and correctly completed including accurate word count.
Do NOT utilize sources such as www.tutor2u.com and other such web materials as these in no way constitute academic references for the purpose of your assignments. If you rely on such sources for theoretical support, you will be deemed NOT to have met the requirements of the assessment.
CASE STUDIES
Case study 1: Raj
Raj has presented to counselling due to his partner recommending it. Raj agrees with her that he has been feeling low in mood and distant from his partner over the last six months, and he agrees that it is time for him to try and do something about it.
Raj is an 18-year-old male who completed year 12 last year. He is currently studying Office Administration at TAFE however lately he rarely attends classes and states that he has no interest in the course and would prefer to be studying photography. Raj also works part time at a local bakery. He has held this job for over a year; however, he has been calling in sick a lot recently and not attending.
Raj’s grandmother to whom he was particularly close to passed away a little over six months ago. It has been since this time that Raj has been feeling unmotivated, and he statesthat he feels’sad’ most of the time. Raj states that he is still unable to talk or think too much about his grandmother as it makes him to upset.
Raj was raised by his paternal uncle with very close involvement from his paternal grandmother, after his mother gave him up at birth. Raj had very little contact with his mother until age 14, however he did have regular contact with his father and he remains close to him. Raj has 2 younger half-brothers on his father’s side, and one half-sister on his mother’s side. Since contact with his mother began, Raj has become very close to his half-sister, and he states that his relationship with his mother is improving but that they do not talk about anything personal together.
Raj is currently in a relationship with a 20-year-old female named Tina. Raj met Tina through a cousin at a party and they have been seeing each other for almost a year. Raj describes Tina as very supportive and he states she was ‘great’ after his grandmother passed away, althoughhe feels he has been pushing her away lately.
Case study 2: Maggie
Maggie is a 35-year-old woman who presents for counselling six months after the breakup of her nine year marriage to Michael, the father of her two children, Josh aged 6 and Joseph aged 12 months. Currently both children are in Maggie’s sole care. Maggie has been referred to counselling by her General Practitioner whom she has been seeing for several minor physical ailments and early signs of depression.
Maggie and Michael met at university when they were studying business computing. After graduating they were employed in separate companies and dated for several years before finally getting married. They both continued working until the birth of their first child Josh, when Maggie took a year off before returning to work part time. Michael continued in full time work and received several promotions over his years of continuous employment.
Maggie continued workingpart time untilthe birth of theirsecond child Joseph, when she again took a year off to care for both children at home. She was about to return to work when Michael came home one night and said he was leaving her for a woman he had met at work. Two weeks later Michael moved out of the family home. He has not contacted Maggie or the children since. Maggie has not felt well enough to return to work and is now in danger of losing her position with the company.
Case study 3: Elizabeth
Elizabeth came to counselling because she was experiencing intense anger and was not coping with her life. She complained of failed relationships with her ex-husband, and with another man whom she left her husband to be with.
Elizabeth cannot move on from the anger she feels about her failed relationships, and she is feeling isolated from her family and friends. This influenced her ability to cope with her work. Therefore, Elizabeth has sold her successful business.
Elizabeth is a mother of two; she has a son aged 18 and a daughter aged 15. She shares custody of the children with her ex-husband, Jodi, whom the children spend a lot of time with. Jodi lives with another woman, and they are engaged to be married. The children have a close relationship with their father and get along well with his new partner.
Despite the separation, Elizabeth’s ex-husband is still very much a part of her life through his relationship with the children. He has retained good relationships with her family and their mutual friends, who are very sympathetic towards him, since Elizabeth ended the relationship to be with another man. Elizabeth was resentful of this sympathy and of the strong relationship that the children had with their father.
Elizabeth described her ex-husband as manipulative and verbally abusive. She felt that he was not supportive of the needs or her career. She finally ended this difficult relationship by leaving Jodi to be with someone who was more supportive of her at the time.
Case study 4: Fritz
Fritz is 42 years of age and has been in Australia for the past 25 years. He migrated from Germany with his immediate family, comprising of his mother, father and two sisters. Fritz has sought counselling largely due to the persistence of his wife. Fritz does not really understand why his wife is so upset with him but states that she thinks he is going through a “midlife crisis”.
He has been married for 19 years and until recently has had a reasonably happy relationship with his wife Anna. Fritz finds it hard to describe what the discord is about and simply states that “Anna believes I am neglecting my family responsibilities and says that I appear distant and uninterested in her and the boys.”
Fritz has two boys, Ric (13) and Hans (15). Fritz describes them as generally good boys who are developing theirown interests and he feelsthat they don’t need him as much any-more. He believes that they would prefer to hang out with their friends rather than their “old” dad. Hans the oldest son has been getting himself into a bit of mischief lately, not attending school some days, causing disruption when he does attend, and he has also been caught shoplifting on a few occasions. Fritz dismisses this behaviour as “kid’s stuff” and thinks that his wife is overreacting.
Fritz states that he has more important things to worry about. He explains that he is a Butcher by trade and runs his own delicatessen. Business has been slow lately and he is afraid that the large chain stores are finally going to ruin his business. Fritz has not discussed his financial concerns with his wife or the disappointment he feels at never being able to achieve his long-term dream of expanding and establishing other shops in the surrounding areas. Rather he has decided to sell up and is thinking about moving away from the city.
Fritz continues to explain that when Anna found out that he had approached.
buyers for the shop she was furious and could not understand why he had not
discussed it with her first, after all it was her inheritance money that enabled Fritz to purchase the shop in the first place and besides, he had always consulted her in the past on important decisions.
Over the past few weeks Fritz has been withdrawing more and more from the family hoping to avoid further conflict, he has busied himself finalising details with the sale of the shop (he is determined to go through with it despite his wife’s resistance) and arranging alternative plans. Anna has threatened Fritz with a divorce and states that she is not going to let him drag the boys out of school and away from friends and family.
Fritz has entertained the thought that perhaps life would be much simpler if he did go it alone, shakeoff all his responsibilities and simply do those thingshe has always wanted to. However, Fritz knows that he still loves his wife, and a divorce would make him feel like an even bigger failure.
