Question

Case Study--Sarah CASE SCENARIO

You are one of the school counselors at Northwest Middle School. Your caseload includes Sarah, a seventh grader. She was referred to you by her classroom teacher.

The teacher has concerns regarding Sarah due to Sarah’s recent change in behavior. Historically, Sarah has been a top student and is very outgoing. Sarah is a member of honor society, plays JV basketball, and is a member of the Drama team. Upon her return from Winter break, Sarah was noticeably withdrawn and her grades began to drop. She has withdrawn from the Drama team and she seems to have lost interest in basketball.

The teacher shared that at a recent parent/teacher conference the parents did not seem concerned about Sarah’s behavior changes but rather focused their attention on Sarah’s basketball performance.The teacher also informed you that he had tried to connect with Sarah to talk about his concerns but when he tried to do so, Sarah became angry, burst into tears, and stormed out of the room.

Sarah has agreed to meet with you upon the encouragement of her parents under the auspice that you will help her with her basketball performance issues.

1.The demographics of the clients; the history of the client's family, personal and life as well as psychological background

2. Theoretical approach to use with the client and why, specific techniques and interventions to use with the client); The treatment plan (e.g. goals, objectives (what will occur to meet the goals)

3. What confidential/ethical issues need to be addressed)

Answer 1

Symtoms of neglect or physical abuse or emotional maltreatment by someone may be cause of behavioural changes by Sarah. She wants to hide something which might be the cause of her becoming low self esteem. When asking about her concerns by the teacher she became angry, burst into tears, and stormed out of the room shows something really bad might happen to her during her Winter break. This is the clue through which we should follow some strategies to get to know the truth of the whole incident that hit hard upon her psychological mind. Social factors sometimes proves to be a big hurdle to analyse the whole incident without any error. Child abuse & neglect continues to dominate our society. Pessimistic approach of parents towards their child leads to strenghen the feeling of insecurity in the minds of a child so that approach has to be neglected. Start addressing this problem with attachment so the child gain positive vibration with you. Speaking in soft language with positive gesture & focus on solution to find out what she might have to undergo during winter break will a step forward in evaluation of her psychological background. Systematic reviws, Meta analysis & randomized & non randomized controlled trials may help in solving issues like this. Mental heath issues shuld be given utmost importance in schools.Diagnostic evaluation is very important for proper treatment of disorders like this. During tratment qualitative & quantitative behaviour of the student should be taken care of. For treatment that includes behavioural modification with the help of reward can be introduced. Along with cognitive-behavioural instruction with the problem, social bonding, cooperation , faith & showering love to the victim can help to solve this issue in a better way. To eradicate negative feelings, thoughts, fears through love & compassion can help in diluting mental or physical trauma. So to develop a support system & to guide how to deal with situation is very important.