Case Conceptualization Basics and Assessment

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jon Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Behavioral Marker ◽  
Detailed Assessment ◽  
Case Conceptualizations ◽  
Pattern Presentation ◽  
Behavioral Markers

This chapter defines the behavioral markers that are included in a pattern-focused case conceptualization. Pattern-focused case conceptualization is a therapeutic strategy that can help clinicians conceptualize client issues, tailoring highly effective treatment, as well as guide them through moment-to-moment decisions made during a session. The chapter reviews the following behavioral markers that can be incorporated into both brief case conceptualizations and full-scale case conceptualizations: pattern, presentation, precipitant, predisposition, protective factors, perpetuants, personality–culture, plan, and predictive factors. The chapter defines each behavioral marker and also provides examples of each. Then, it reviews case conceptualization-informed assessment and also includes a detailed assessment that clinicians can use to inform their clinical evaluation.

Full-Scale Case Conceptualization Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 105-122
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jon Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Predisposing Factors ◽  
Treatment Goals ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Cultural Formulation ◽  
Treatment Interventions ◽  
Case Vignettes

This chapter demonstrates the eight-step full-scale case conceptualization strategy using two case vignettes. The chapter summarizes the following eight-step strategy: Step 1: Specify presenting problem and precipitants; Step 2: Identify maladaptive pattern; Step 3: Identify predisposing factors and perpetuants; Step 4: Specify a cultural formulation; Step 5: Specify the client’s relevant protective factors and strengths; Step 6: Specify treatment goals; Step 7: Specify treatment interventions; and Step 8: Specify obstacles, challenges, and facilitators. The readers will formulate the cases through the full-scale case conceptualization worksheet and then will write a full-scale case conceptualization narrative for each case. Exemplar responses for each of the two case vignettes are provided.

The Clinical Value of Couple and Family Case Conceptualizations

2021 ◽  
pp. 123-133
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jon Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Family Interaction ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Couple Interaction ◽  
Family Patterns ◽  
Family Case ◽  
Case Conceptualizations

Clinicians who work primarily with individual clients and have developed competency with case conceptualizations can provide effective treatment. However, when they work with clients for whom couple and family dynamics are prominent, having an individual case conceptualization can be useful but limited. This chapter discusses the value of adding couple and family case conceptualizations. It describes how to incorporate couple interaction patterns and family interaction patterns in the case conceptualization process. A case example that captured and held national attention for more than 1 year is presented. It illustrates the pattern-focused approach for incorporating individual, couple, and family patterns into a composite case conceptualization.

Full-Scale Case Conceptualizations

2021 ◽  
pp. 78-104
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jon Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Predisposing Factors ◽  
Treatment Goals ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Treatment Interventions ◽  
Step Process ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Process Pattern ◽  
Case Vignettes

This chapter examines a full-scale case conceptualization strategy that is summarized in eight steps. It reviews how pattern is formulated throughout the eight-step process. Pattern links the client’s presenting symptoms to the precipitating event and is driven by the predisposing factors and perpetuants. Pattern also informs the second-order treatment goals and interventions, as well as the likely treatment obstacles and challenges. The chapter informs readers to apply the following eight-step strategy with two case vignettes: Step 1: Specify presenting problem and precipitants; Step 2: Identify maladaptive pattern; Step 3: Identify predisposing factors and perpetuants; Step 4: Specify a cultural formulation; Step 5: Specify the client’s relevant protective factors and strengths; Step 6: Specify treatment goals; Step 7: Specify treatment interventions; and Step 8: Specify obstacles, challenges, and facilitators. The chapter concludes with two case vignettes that demonstrate the eight-step full-scale conceptualization strategy.

Brief Case Conceptualization Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 63-77
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jon Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Predisposing Factors ◽  
Treatment Goals ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Case Vignettes ◽  
Case Conceptualizations ◽  
Behavioral Markers ◽  
First Session

Brief case conceptualizations are useful in various clinical contexts. This type of conceptualization can be completed quickly after the first session because there are only six behavioral markers for the practitioner to formulate. In this chapter, the five-step brief case conceptualization strategy is demonstrated with two case vignettes. The strategy includes the following five steps: Step 1: Specify presenting problem and precipitants; Step 2: Identify maladaptive pattern; Step 3: Identify predisposing factors and perpetuants; Step 4: Specify treatment goals and interventions; and Step 5: Specify obstacles, challenges, and facilitators. Readers will formulate the case through the brief case conceptualization worksheet and then will write a brief case conceptualization narrative. After each case, the chapter provides exemplar responses for each of the case vignettes.

The 15 Minute Case Conceptualization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jonathan Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Premature Termination ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Highly Effective ◽  
Case Conceptualizations ◽  
Overall Effectiveness

Once understood as useful but optional, case conceptualization is now considered essential and one of the most important of all clinical skills and competencies. As clinicians look for resources to assist in learning and mastering this competency, they must choose among different case conceptualization approaches. They would do well to give serious consideration to those that are both clinically effective and clinician friendly. A truly clinically effective approach explains and guides treatment, and most importantly, predicts challenges and obstacles that are likely to arise over the course of treatment. Most approaches emphasize the functions of explanation and guiding treatment, but seldom include third function which help anticipates likely challenges, which if not proactively addressed are likely to result in therapy interference or premature termination. This function is essential in determining the course and overall effectiveness of therapy. A truly clinician-friendly approach is one that is quick to use and easy to master, and very few approaches can make this claim. The 15 Minute Case Conceptualization is the only approach that is both highly effective and clinician friendly. Research confirms that such case conceptualizations can be completed in only 15 minutes. It is an evidence-based, step-by-step approach that therapists and other mental health professionals need and want.

Group Formulation and Case Conceptualization

2013 ◽  
pp. 76-90
Author(s):  
Sally H. Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Group Case ◽  
Case Conceptualizations

Chapter 4 explores individual and group formulations or group case conceptualizations that take a group member’s personal and interpersonal issues into account in a consistent, thoughtful way that utilizes a theory with clear intervention strategies to bring about change.

The Pattern-Focused Case Conceptualization Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Len Sperry ◽  
Jon Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Case Conceptualization ◽  
Clinical Competencies ◽  
Psychotherapy Practice ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Behavioral Markers

In this era of accountability, therapists and other mental health professionals are expected to employ evidence-based interventions to achieve therapeutic change. Case conceptualization is an intervention that many consider one of the most essential clinical competencies. A useful case conceptualization approach, at a minimum, should explain the presenting problem and guide the planning and implementation of treatment. Approaches that are more clinically valuable will include a third function: anticipate and predict challenges in the treatment process. Analogous to the paradigm shift toward personalized treatments in precision medicine based on biomarkers is a similar shift occurring in psychotherapy practice. It will be based on behavioral markers like the ones in the pattern-focused case conceptualization approach and can explain, guide, and predict treatment challenges, as well as optimize treatment outcomes. A case example illustrates key points.

scholarly journals A systematic review of risk and protective factors of mental health in unaccompanied minor refugees

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Höhne ◽  
Anna Swantje van der Meer ◽  
Inge Kamp-Becker ◽  
Hanna Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Predictive Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unaccompanied Minor Refugees ◽  
Minor Refugees

Abstract In recent years, there has been a rising interest in the mental health of unaccompanied minor refugees (UMR), who are a high-risk group for mental disorders. Especially the investigation of predictive factors of the mental health of young refugees has received increasing attention. However, there has been no review on this current issue for the specific group of UMR so far. We aimed to summarize and evaluate the existing findings of specific risk and protective factors to identify the most verified influences on the mental health of UMR. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature search. Study designs were limited to quantitative cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. Eight databases were searched in four different languages and article reference lists of relevant papers were screened. 27 studies were included (N = 4753). Qualitative synthesis revealed the number of stressful life events to be the most evaluated and verified risk factor for mental health of UMR. A stable environment and social support, on the other hand, can protect UMR from developing poor mental health. Besides that, several other influencing factors could be pointed out, such as type of accommodation, family contact, gender and cultural competences. Because of the large heterogeneity of outcome measures, quantitative synthesis was not possible. This review helps to improve our understanding of determinants of UMRs mental health and thus to provide more targeted treatment. Furthermore, it provides information on how to prevent the development of mental health problems by specifying factors that can be modified by different health and immigration sectors in advance. Further research is needed focusing on the interaction between the various predictive factors.

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