Applying Theoretical Interventions for Clients Experiencing Life Transition and Developmental Issues

Applying Theoretical Interventions for Clients Experiencing Life Transition and Developmental Issues

Certain elements of treatment planning for clients experiencing life transition and developmental issues may be easier than others. For instance, it may be obvious that a breadwinner’s job loss is the major concern facing a family. The more difficult part may be crafting clinical and treatment formulations for this issue that explain how it affects the clients, what needs they have, and how you, as a counselor, plan to intervene (Sperry, 2005). As you examine life transition and developmental issues in this week and the next, use your theoretical orientation to conceptualize the scenarios presented and plan theory-based interventions.

To prepare for this Application Assignment, select and view one movie from the list provided in this week’s Learning Resources. Begin to conceptualize the couple’s or family’s problem through your theoretical orientation and identify interventions that you might use. Locate articles in the Walden Library that could be used to justify the interventions you selected.

Note: If you are unable to acquire one of the movies, you may contact your Instructor for alternative arrangements.

Reference:
Sperry, L. (2005). Case conceptualizations: The missing link between theory and practice. Family Journal, 13(1), 71–76.

The assignment (2–3 pages)

• Apply counseling theories and theory-based interventions to couples and families experiencing life transition and developmental issues.
• Develop and justify treatment plans for couples and families experiencing life transition and developmental issues.
• Identify the movie you selected and the life transition/developmental issue present in the couple/family.
• Conceptualize the couple’s/family’s problem through your chosen theoretical orientation.
• Describe two interventions you would use to address these couple/family issues and how you would use them. (Note: The interventions may not emerge from your chosen theoretical orientation)
• Justify the interventions you selected with two evidence-based research articles.

Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course.

Submit your assignment by Day 7.

 

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Media

Please note: These films are not available through Walden Library. Contact your instructor if you are unable to obtain a copy independently.

Please select, obtain, and view one of the following movies to use with this week’s Application Assignment:

• Movie: Benton, R. (Director). (1979). Kramer vs. Kramer [Motion picture]. [With D. Hoffman, M. Streep, & J. Alexander]. United States: Columbia Pictures.
• Movie: Reiner, R. (Director). (1999). The story of us [Motion picture]. [With B. Willis, M. Pfeiffer, & C. Renison]. United States: Universal.
• Movie: Carlino, L. J. (Director). (1979). The great Santini [Motion picture]. [With R. Duvall, B. Danner, & M. O’Keefe]. United States: Warner Bros. & Orion Pictures.

Readings

• Course Text: Gurman, A. S., Lebow, J. L., & Snyder, D.  (2015). Clinical handbook of couple therapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
  • Chapter 15, “Couple Therapy and the Treatment of Affairs”
  • Chapter 16, “Separation and Divorce Issues in Couple Therapy
• Article: Gibson, D. M. (2008). Relationship betrayal and the influence of religious beliefs: A case illustration of couples counseling. The Family Journal, 16(4), 344–350. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Gordon, K. C., Baucom, D. H., & Snyder, D. K. (2004). An integrative intervention for promoting recovery from extramarital affairs. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(2), 213–31. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Article: Murray, C. E., Kardatzke, K. N. (2009). Addressing the needs of adult children of divorce in premarital counseling: Research-based guidelines for practice. The Family Journal, 17(2), 126–133.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Optional Resources

Readings

• Book: Bitter, J. R., Long, L. L., & Young, M. E. (2010). Introduction to marriage, couple, and family counseling. Mason, OH: Cengage.
  • Chapter 14, “Parenting for the 21st Century”