Case Scenario: "Kayla"
Client Name: Kayla M.
Gender Identity: Female
Cultural Identity: Indigenous
Background:
Kayla is a 21-year-old Indigenous woman who was adopted at age 3 from the child welfare system into a white, middle-class family in a small rural town. Her adoptive parents, Susan and Brad (both in their 50s), raised Kayla alongside their two biological sons, Ethan (24) and Josh (19). Kayla is close with Ethan but has a tense relationship with Josh. Kayla's paternal adoptive grandparents live in B.C. and she enjoys seeing them, but is not close. Her maternal grandfather past away shortly after she was adopted into the family. She has a special bond with her maternal grandmother who often cared for Kayla when her parents worked, however grandma is elderly now and limited in how she can support Kayla. Kayla reports that by most measures her childhood was a good one, she has grown up healthy in a safe environment.
Kayla recently entered First Nations University in Prince Albert but has been struggling academically and emotionally. Recently, Kayla has begun expressing feelings of being "different" and not belonging in her family and at school. She reports feeling isolated because she does not know where she fits in and has little connection to her community of origin. She is feeling increasingly disconnected from both her adoptive family and her Indigenous roots. Kayla has started seeking information about her birth family and has connected online with a distant cousin who lives in a northern Cree community.
Kayla been diagnosed with anxiety and attends therapy through the campus wellness center. She has also been struggling with digestive issues and reports often having an 'upset stomach' which affects her appetite. She did not grow up around drugs and alcohol but has recently begun using marijuana to ease her anxiety and help with her sleep and appetite.
She is not currently in touch with her biological parents. She knows that her birth mother, a Cree woman named Leanne, struggled with addiction and was involved with the child welfare system.
Her birth father is unknown.
Kayla reports tension with her adoptive parents, who want to support her but do not fully understand how to address cultural issues. They sometimes say things like "you're just part of our family now" or "we raised you no different," which she finds invalidating.
Kayla does well academically but has become increasingly withdrawn and spends more time alone in her room. She has one close friend, Sarah (17), who is supportive, but otherwise Kayla's peer network is small. She has also been in touch through social media with an Indigenous youth group in the city, though she has not yet attended in person.
Kayla is referred to you by the psychologist at the campus wellness center. Kayla is motivated to make necessary changes to 'feel better', but doesn't know where to begin.
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate students' knowledge of the intake process and understanding of effective engagement strategies for the assigned client. This assignment will demonstrate the student's self-awareness and critical reflection skills.
Instructions: In your paper, you will discuss the information you have in the chosen client file.
You will discuss information important for intake and write a mock summary that includes:
- Brief summary of reason for the referral
- Initial Impressions
- Identifying key information from the client file that will help you prepare to meet the client.
You will also reflect on engagement strategies and discuss:
- How will you begin your relationship with the client?
- What are important factors to consider that will encourage engagement?
- What theoretical approaches would you consider?
- What are your rapport-building strategies? Need Assignment Help?
Lastly, you should include self-reflection about initial thoughts/feelings that arise from reading the client file. Reflect on how you will navigate your own internal views and reactions while at the same time connecting with the client. You may use first person language for this self- reflection portion.