Internal Code: TV586

Assessment Task:

Tanisha, 43, has referred herself to your counselling service, after it was suggested by her Family Services Worker, Jen, due to concerns about her difficulty coping at present, where she has been increasingly tearful and stressed. You have had two sessions thus far, and have been trying to get to know her and understand her history during these sessions. Tanisha has three children, Lucas (16), Molly (7), and Grace (5). Tanisha reports that Lucas’s father Tim, her first husband, was verbally violent, and they separated when Lucas was 6. Over the past three years, Lucas has become increasingly aggressive towards Tanisha, often physically, and has not responded well to her attempts to set boundaries and limits at home. Two months ago, he decided he wanted to live with his father, and since that time, has refused to see Tanisha or his sisters. After separating from Tim, Tanisha was single for a year before meeting Brian, the father of Molly and Grace. This relationship ended almost a year ago after ongoing conflict, although Tanisha reports they never fought directly in front of the children. Based on what Molly and Grace have told her, she believes that Brian may also have used excessive physical discipline with them at times, but never witnessed this. She noted Brian is strict and controlling towards the children, while she is more lenient. While she and Brian are living separately, Tanisha acknowledges some desire to reconcile, and notes that they have had an “on and off” relationship since he left the home last year. She notes a fear of being alone, stating she sleeps with a knife under her pillow due to concerns that an intruder might enter the house while she sleeps…

After reading the information provided in this case study, consider the following in your essay:

1. What are the primary presenting issues for Tanisha?
2. What further information would be important to know to be able to effectively work with Tanisha?
3. What other supports or services could Tanisha or her family benefit from beyond your individual counseling?
4. How would you manage the information you have received from other sources? How could you integrate this into your conceptualization? Consider any ethical issues in this regard.
5. Provide a case conceptualization using the 5P approach, noting where appropriate if there is further information you would need for a comprehensive formulation.
6. Provide a brief review of relevant theoretical and therapeutic approaches for this case, providing a rationale for your chosen treatment/s.
7. Discuss your treatment plan, including discussion of the theories and therapies you could draw upon in your work with Tanisha. This should include some discussion of specific techniques and interventions that are part of the chosen therapies, and how you could use these with Tanisha.
8. Discuss any challenges or issues that you anticipate could occur in therapy with Tanisha, and any ideas about how you could manage these challenges. This may include, but is not limited to, any broader societal/cultural/community issues that could be important to consider in working with this case, along with any other therapeutic issues.