Use your Clinical Social Work Practice text to read the following:
Chapter 6, “Object Relations Theory: A Relational Psychodynamic Model, pages 76–90.
Chapter 7, “Self-Psychology: A Relational Psychodynamic Model,” pages 91–105.
Chapter 8, “Relational Theory,” pages 106–119.
Chapter 9, “Cognitive Theory: A Structural Approach,” pages 120–142.
Chapter 11, “Narrative Therapy,” pages 157–174.
Chapter 12, “Solution-Focused Therapy,” pages 175–189.
For this post, use the case of Nellie Bowman or Mary Melody to develop an intervention plan that is based on a chosen theory. Our text and research demonstrate multiple methods and concepts concerning theory. Choose one of the methods or concepts within the text to support your application of theory to Nellie or Mary.
Start by reviewing the cases:
The Case of Mary Melody
Mary Melody is a 46-year-old married woman with two children, ages 23 and 25. “I’ve been sad for most of my life. I’ve just felt down for as long as I can remember. I’ve been thinking of suicide on and off since I was 16 years old,” she said. Mary goes on to say that she hates everything about herself: how she looks, how she talks, and how she acts around other people. She feels most comfortable in her room curled up in bed with the shades drawn and the lights out. “My kids are grown and they really don’t need me. You might say my work in that department is done. They turned out okay but I just feel really hopeless. Now that the birds have left the nest, I don’t have much of a purpose,” she adds.
The Case of Nellie Bowman
Nellie Bowman is a 25-year-old graduate student. She starts her conversation with you by stating, “You know, I’ve lived a pretty normal life. Of course I’ve had the usual ups and downs. Then it happened. One night after a party, I came back to my apartment and I guess I forgot to lock the door. Some guy must have followed me. I woke up and he had a knife at my throat. My life flashed before my eyes. I don’t really remember what happened next, but I remember jumping on the bed and screaming and he ran from the room. I called my roommate and she came right back to the apartment. I called my parents and the police. Filed the report, they didn’t find the guy, but we changed all the locks and I thought I’d put it behind me. Then six months later, I woke up in the middle of the night and had this vague feeling of apprehension. All of a sudden my heart started pounding. Like I was having a heart attack. I started sweating and my chest hurt something awful. Right these and then I thought I was dying. It was really weird. I ran to my roommate’s room, but it felt like I was moving in slow motion. It was like I was detached from the whole thing. Right away she called the ambulance. When they checked me out at the hospital the docs said I was just fine. Now I’m a little scared to be by myself for too long. Good thing I have my roommate. I’m afraid it might happen again.”
For your discussion post:
Identify the case you have chosen to review and the diagnosis you would provide to either Nellie or Mary.
Provide your rationale for the diagnosis.
Discuss an intervention plan using the generalist intervention model that addresses the micro, mezzo, and macro systems. What kind of therapy would you provide this client, what kind of intervention would you provide for the family, and the community?