choose what’s best (OA1)

Assignment #1:

Cognitive or Behavioral Assessment and Intervention with an Individual

Students will choose either the cognitive or the behavioral assignment, and will use one of their own cases from the field as the basis for the paper. (If you are unsure if/how to use of your own clients for this assignment, please discuss with professor. You must have permission from the instructor to use a standardized case instead of one of your own cases.). This paper is intended to support attainment of competence in SWC 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior; SWC 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice;

SWC 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice; SWC 6: Engage with Individuals; SWC 7: Assess Individuals.

Choose either option A (cognitive) or option B (behavioral). Your papers are is due:

I have already got. Permission to use a standardized case and that has been attached in the documents

Option A: Cognitive

This paper should not exceed 7 pages (double-spaced, 12 point font, 1 inch margins). In addition to your 7 page paper, attach a one page case summary that provides identifying information, chief complaint/reason for referral, and a brief summary of relevant biopsychosocial history on your client. (If your instructor has given you permission to use a standardized case, you do not need to include this additional one page case summary. Include at least 6 citations, APA style, from at least 3 relevant readings from the course. Additional readings may be drawn from other courses or external sources.

1. Identify the client’s maladaptive and adaptive automatic thoughts, intermediate beliefs, and core beliefs about him/her self, other people, and the future. How do personal/institutional and cultural factors influence the client’s cognitions? Write out your response in paragraph form. Additionally, complete and append the case conceptualization worksheet.

2. Using Leahy’s list of “cognitive distortions”, provide of 3-4 examples of specific cognitive distortions and how these negative and faulty beliefs contribute to the client’s negative feelings (depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, frustration, etc.).

3. Outline ways you use, or could use, specific cognitive techniques to help the client replace limiting thinking patterns and beliefs with more empowering, positive ones. From the cognitive literature, name the techniques you have in mind and describe how they are applied.

4. Provide sample dialogue, actual or imagined, in which you show yourself trying to implement one cognitive technique with a client. Show, or imagine, their effects. The dialogue should be ½ page, single spaced.

5. Clinicians’ feelings, behaviors, and relationships are also affected by their guiding ideas. Discuss any instances in which your own beliefs or attitudes may have negatively impacted treatment. Why did that happen? Were you able to alter your own thinking in a constructive way? How?

Option B: Behavioral

This paper should not exceed 7 pages (double-spaced, 12 point font, 1 inch margins). In addition to your 7 page paper, also attach a one page case summary that provides identifying information, chief complaint/reason for referral, and a brief summary of relevant biopsychosocial history on your client. (If your instructor has given you permission to use a standardized case, you do not need to include this additional one page case summary.)  Include at least 6 citations, APA style, from at least 3 relevant readings from the course. Additional readings may be drawn from other courses or external sources.

1. Describe antecedents that appear to trigger the client’s problem behavior(s). How do personal, institutional and cultural factors influence the client’s behaviors?

2. Identify reinforcers or consequences that maintain the problem behavior(s). Does the client engage in avoidance behavior and if so, what impact does this have on the problem? Indicate how the behaviors of those in the immediate environment (such as family members, teachers, friends, neighbors, people in positions of power, etc.) affect the client’s behavior.

3. (a) Write out a dialogue of you working with a client to complete a functional analysis for a client’s specific problematic behavior. Append the functional analysis worksheet. Assess the client’s desire/motivation to change. (The dialogue should be 2 pages double spaced.)

OR

(b) Write out a dialogue of you working with a client to develop a behavioral activation plan for a specific goal. Append the behavioral scheduling/ activity worksheet. Assess the client’s desire/motivation to change. (The dialogue should be 2 pages double spaced.)

OR

(c) Write out a dialogue of you working with the client and parent/caregiver to develop a behavioral management plan for specific goals. Append the behavioral chart worksheet and include a reinforcement schedule. Assess the client’s desire/motivation to change. (The dialogue should be 2 pages double spaced.)

4. What challenges do you anticipate carrying out this intervention? How might you address these?