Problem:
For this assignment you will read a case scenario and create a counseling script that demonstrates building therapeutic alliance and gathering information about the problem. You will apply counseling skills such as identifying interactional patterns and interventions that could be beneficial to the couple.
After reading "Couple Case Scenario and Directions," fill out the accompanying document, "Couple Case Scenario Template."
Directions: Read the following scenario to complete the Topic 1 assignment. Template examples and instructions are provided below the case study to assist in completing the Topic 1 Couple Case Scenario Template.
Couple Case Scenario:
Margaret, a 32-year-old Catholic, Italian female and Jose, a 35-year-old Catholic, Hispanic male have been married for 3 years and have one child, Isabella, who is 2 years old. Jose comes from a traditional Latino background and Margaret's family of origin has traditional Italian values.
For the past few months, the couple has been arguing about having more children. Jose and his mom, Sofia, have been pressuring Margaret to have more children. Sofia makes remarks about wanting more grandchildren to Margaret when she visits. Margaret has become increasingly frustrated by Sofia's remarks and unannounced visits. Margaret also wants a big family but is hesitant to have more children. She is not sure why, but she has been having increased emotional and physiological reactions when Jose and Sofia make comments about wanting to have more kids.
Margaret and Jose have been arguing with raised voices about finances and having more children. Lately, Margaret has begun to argue less, crosses her arms, turns away, and ignores Jose when he brings up having more children. It has gotten to where Jose has been making remarks about Margaret being uptight and less intimate. Margaret has asked for Jose's help around the house and to spend more time with Isabella, but he quickly begins to argue and list all of his current responsibilities.
Margaret and Jose work full time, but Margaret has taken on most of the responsibility with dropping off and picking Isabella up at daycare and planning family activities. Isabella has been having issues at daycare, where she will frequently burst into tears and take 30 minutes to an hour to calm down. Isabella has started playing by herself rather than interacting with the other children at daycare.
Margaret has been distracted and makes mistakes at work, and she quickly becomes overwhelmed at home with Jose and Isabella. Jose has been distancing himself from his work responsibilities and spending more time with his mom, Sofia. Margaret has been spending more time at church, asking for guidance from her priest and her fellowship at the church Mass services.
Couple Case Scenario Template Directions
Part One: Therapeutic Alliance and Problem Identification
Instructions:
After reading the case scenario, read the example script below. In 200 words, develop your counseling script, including the counselor and clients' dialogue that builds the therapeutic alliance and gathers information about the presenting problem. Need Assignment Help?
Example Script
Counselor: Hi Margaret and Jose, I see from your intake you have been struggling with some relationship issues, could you expand upon this a bit more?
Margaret: Yes, I just feel like I can't do anything right. I am running around taking care of everyone and he just wants more time with me, more kids, more everything.
Counselor: When you started discussing your problems you are having with Jose, I noticed you started to raise your voice and tense your shoulders. It appears like you are angry but also exhausted by this.
Jose: [Quickly replies even though counselor was speaking to Margaret] Yes, I have noticed more and more that Margaret is so tense and pissed at me [Crosses arms, frowns, sits back further in chair]
Counselor: [Maintains eye contact, open posture, leans forward, nods head] It seems like both of you are struggling when you begin to speak about your relationship. Jose, could you tell me more about your thoughts on this?
Example Skills
Open-ended question
Paraphrasing, empathy, immediacy, validation
Non-verbal gestures to indicate active listening, validation, open ended question
Part Two: Pattern Identification
Instructions: List one interactional pattern you have identified within the case scenario. In fifty words, describe how you see the interactional pattern within the case scenario. Include an APA formatted citation to support your response.
Some examples of interactional patterns with the couple include but are not limited to: demand-withdraw cycle/pursuer distancer (Emotion-Focused Therapy); criticism, (Gottman); triangulation (Bowen); cross-generational coalition (Structural).
Part Three: Role of the Counselor
Instructions: In fifty words, identify and describe the counselor's role in the case scenario.
Include an APA formatted citation to support your response.
Some examples include but are not limited to: direct (structural), indirect (psychoanalytic), coaching (cognitive behavioral therapy), collaborative (narrative and solution focused therapy), or expert (strategic).
Part Four: Counseling Intervention
Instructions: Look ahead at the theories within the textbook (e.g., psychoanalytic, CBT-Family, Bowen, structural, strategic, emotion-focused therapy, and Gottman).
List and describe at least one counseling intervention that could be beneficial for the couple.
At least fifty words describing the intervention, and include an APA-formatted citation to support your response.