HSV 521 Post Ethical and Cultural Factors of the Families Structure Case Study
Case Study 3: Apply the Structural Model.Film: In Case Study #3, A well known film, “Rachel Getting Married” (2008) depicts a family struggling with emotional,
substance, and relational problems. Take
notes on the family, its members, and the problems and interactional patterns they display. It
is strongly recommended that you view this film at least twice before completing the
assignment. For the purposes of this Case Study, pretend that the any action portrayed in the
film (e.g., the family is seen in the movie arguing with each other) as being communicated to
you by family members in the therapeutic session (e.g., family members report to you that they
had an argument earlier in the week). In other words, the action you see unfolding in the movie
is being communicated to you during an intake session you are having with members of the
family.The points below will help you begin to organize and prepare for Case Study #3:Use the Case Study Report Template to write up your "Assessment Report and Initial Treatment Plan / Recommendations". The template MUST be used for all three case study reports.The HSV 521 Case Study Guidelines for Case Study #3 describes the requirements for this assignment. Please read it carefully.The film Rachel Getting Married in plenty of time to review it thoroughly.Include the Structural Family Map (See Case Study Report #3 Guidelines)Structural Family Map: Instructions (Case Study #3): Using the boundary names (i.e., Clear,
Diffuse, Rigid, Detouring, and Conflict), describe the relationships between the Buchman family
members as depicted in the film (e.g., Between ‘A’ and ‘B’: Clear boundary as evidenced by
healthy interactions between the two family members and ……..) Address the boundaries as
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well as their alignments, coalitions, and triangles.
Since this is an on-line assignment, you do not have to create a picture, but rather note the
relationships between all family members. For example, describe the relationship between
Kym and Abby; Kym and Paul; Kym and Rachel. (A-B; A-C; A-D). Then, do that for the other
relationships between the family members. (B-C; B-D); (C-D). If you want to include the stepparents in this, you may do that as well. Be sure to explain your rationale regarding your
boundary choice by giving an example or examples.
Between Kym and Abby
Between Kym and Paul
Between Kym and Rachel
Between Abby and Paul
Between Abby and Rachel
Between Paul and Rachel
Additional Helpful Hints
Spelling, grammar and the use of language count! Therefore, proof your paper before
submitting it. If you are not confident in your own writing skills contact the Writing Center on
campus (203.596.4629) or writingcenter@post.edu. Be sure to submit your paper to them
with ample turn-around time. Poorly written papers will be graded down so take the steps
necessary to submit a well-writtenpaper.
When writing your paper, keep it simple. Write in clear, concise sentences. Say a lot using the
fewest number of words. Don’t go on and on about something. Make your point and move on.
If your paper exceeds the six page maximum. Go back and edit your paper. Cut out
unnecessary words and information.
Use the language of the model that you are applying to the case. If your case conceptualization
and treatment plan contain only a few vocabulary words from the model, something is seriously
wrong. The goal of this paper is to show your mastery of theory in a clinical case. Being able
to integrate theory into practice is essential in this field. Go back and rewrite these sections
keeping the model in mind. Integrate theory with the case study. If you are applying Behavior
Therapy to the case, we are not interested in your opinions. We are interested in your opinions
as a behavior family therapist. Talk like a behaviorist would talk when discussing the case.
Do not simply discuss the model (“I would use role playing in treatment”). Be specific to this
particular family. Apply it to the family you are treating (“I would use role playing with John, the
oldest child, when working on his need to be more assertive with his dad.”).
When introducing the vocabulary and concepts of the model you are using, briefly define them
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for your reader (e.g. “I would use role playing with John, the oldest child, when working on his
need to be more assertive with his dad. Role modeling is a technique where the family member
practices certain behaviors in the session and…….”). Assume your audience knows less about
what you are writing about than you do. Write to your audience, not toyourself.
Do not use slang expressions in your report (e.g., She often gets wasted on the weekend when
she drinks) unless you are quoting someone (e.g., When asked about her weekend drinking,
she replied that she often gets “wasted”). Remember this is a formal, professional report. The
use of slang is not acceptable.
Avoid first-person statements and the use of personal words such as “I” (e.g., I believe that
the family may be suffering from…..”). Instead, take a less personal approach even when
stating your own opinion (e.g., “Evidence indicates that the family likely suffers from…..”). If
you have to refer to yourself, it is good practice to refer to yourself as “this examiner” in clinical
writing.
State your hypotheses about the case, the family and its problems in tentative terms (e.g., “It
is likely….”, “She may be harboring guilt associated with…..”, “He tends to shut down when
confronted….”). Remember, your hypotheses reflect what you THINK, not what you KNOW.
They are not the facts. They represent your interpretation of the facts. The more confident you
are about your hypothesis, the more definitive your statement can sound (e.g., “He is likely”
vs. “He may”). The less confident you are with your hypothesis, the more tentative your
statements about the family should be (e.g., “There is a chance that she may respond with
hostility when confronted with…..”).
Do not state your opinions in the “Summary of information provided”, the factual part of your
paper. Instead, state your opinions or hypotheses in the “Assessment of information provided”
section. Always back up your opinion with fact. Support your hypotheses with facts or data
from the case study (e.g., “He is likely to depend too heavily on his children’s approval as
evidenced by…….”).
Do not discuss treatment issues or recommendations in your Assessment Report. Save these
recommendations for your Initial Treatment Plan.
When in doubt, keep your treatment plan simple. Do not let your treatment recommendations
make things more complicated for the family than they already are.