In this course, you will be asked to select one case study and to use it throughout the entire course. By doing this, you will have the opportunity to see how theories guide your view of a client and the client’s presenting problem. Although the case may be the same, each time you use a different theory, your perspective of the problem changes, which then changes how you go about asking the assessment questions and how you intervene.

The first theoretical approach you will use to apply to a case study is systems theory. In other words, your theoretical orientation—your lens—will be systems theory as you analyze a social work case study.

Different theories can be used to take a systems approach. For example, Bertalanffy’s General Systems Theoryconsiders how a system is made of smaller subsystems that influence each other and seek homeostasis, whereas Brofennerbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory focuses on how an individual’s experience is influenced by different system levels (micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono). Systems theory is commonly used to understand the interrelationships of the systems (e.g., family, community, organizations, society) of the client. If you are working with families, communities, and organizations, it is also beneficial to use systems theory to get a holistic picture of all the interrelated parts of the system.

To prepare: Select and focus on one of four case studies listed in the Learning Resources. You will use this same case study throughout the course.

By Day 7

• Focus on the identified client within your chosen case.
• Analyze the case using a systems approach, taking into consideration both family and community systems.
• Complete and submit the “Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study” worksheet based on your analysis.

Required Readings

Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Chapter 14: General Systems Theory (pp. 240–247)

Turner, K., & Lehning, A. J. (2007). Psychological theories of poverty. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 16(1/2), 57–72. doi:10.1300/J137v16n01-05

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Turner, F. (2011). Theory and social work treatment. In Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (5th ed., pp. 3–13). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Social Work Treatment: Interlocking Theoretical Approaches, 5th Edition by Turner, F. Copyright 2011 by Oxford University Press – Books (US & UK). Reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press – Books (US & UK) via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Document: Comparing Individual-Related and Structural/Cultural-Related Theories (Word document)

Document: Worksheet: Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study (Word document)

Document: Theory Into Practice: Four Social Work Case Studies (PDF)

Required Media

Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2014). Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.psychotherapy.net.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/stream/waldenu/video?vid=277

This week, watch the “Family Systems Therapy” segment by clicking the applicable link under the “Chapters” tab.

Note: You will access this video from the Walden Library databases.

The codes of ethics that guide the school counseling profession provide counselors with the standards for ethical practice. However, it may be necessary for a counselor to have to apply a combination of the codes of ethics when delivering counseling services to their students, as well as being mindful of FERPA guidelines to which schools must adhere. Comparing codes of ethics and integrating the standards of FERPA into professional practice is an essential skill for an ethical school counselor.

For this Assignment, consider how the ASCA Codes of Ethics and the FERPA guidelines apply to your work as a school counselor.

The Assignment (2–3 pages):

• Create a summary of the ASCA Codes of Ethics.
• Explain similarities between the ASCA 2016 Code of Ethics and the FERPA, then explain how the two are different.
• Explain how the ASCA Code of Ethics and FERPA guidelines might be applied to the work of a school counselor. Provide an example.
• Review the ACA Codes of Ethics and explain why it is important for school counselors to understand these codes.

Per APA guidelines, support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation, including those used as Learning Resources for this course.

These are the sources that should be used: 

Review: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. (1974). 20 U.S.C.A. Section 1232g. [Buckley Amendment.] Retrieved from http://epic.org/privacy/education/ferpa.html

Review: American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Discussion: Case Study Comparison

Compare and contrast the case study of Artie (appendix B in the text) to a case study previously covered in class. Discuss intervention techniques you would use when dealing with the child’s or adolescent’s disorder. Support your thinking with module material.

Resources:

• Textbook: Appendix B (Discussion)
• Article:  Child Physical and Sexual Abuse: Guidelines for Treatment (Discussion)

https://mainweb-v.musc.edu/vawprevention/general/saunders.pdf

• Website: National Child Traumatic Stress Network Empirically Supported Treatments and Promising Practices (Discussion)

https://www.nctsn.org/treatments-and-practices/trauma-treatments

• Website: Psychosocial Treatment for Children and Adolescents with ADHD (Discussion)

• Choose a person you know well and complete a developmental summary across the life span for this person. (You can choose a person from any of the developmental stages.)
• Brief overview of biographical data: ex. age, sex, family structure, living arrangements, occupation.
• Determine the individual’s current stage of development: physically, cognitively, and psychosocial growth and development and compare your findings to the developmental norms from textbooks and data bases. (Theoretical description of individual’s stage of development.)
• State which developmental tasks are met/unmet; providing evidence based on comparison of observations to theoretical description.
• Identify measures to assist or maintain the individual’s effort to accomplish age-appropriate tasks.
• Adheres to APA format, utilizes correct grammar, and has effective writing.
• This critique needs to be a minimum of 6 pages, not including the citation page at the end with a minimum of 7 citations. 
• Be sure that you utilize various theories and apply these to the growth and development of your chosen person.