Character Conceptualization

Students will select a character from a movie, book, or show as your client. Students will create a 20-30 minute presentation detailing a thorough case conceptualization of your client, including the following: a comprehensive assessment, the most accurate diagnosis from the DSM-V, treatment plan (using the I CAN START format presented in the text), empirically supported recommendations/interventions, and challenges associated with those proposals.

I would like my character to be Celie from the movie, The Color Purple

Please be sure to address each of the following questions/criteria:

1. Introduction

a. Brief introduction of your character (who), what you are going to discuss in this presentation (what), and the purpose of presentation (why).

2. Develop a case history of your client, including the following information (you may have to infer to some degree to clarify your view of this client):

a. Demographic information (e.g., sex, age, ethnic background, physical characteristics, disability)

b. Developmental milestones

c. Social context(s) in which she/he grew up

d. Significant events in infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood

e. What he/she was like as a child, adolescent, adult

f. Relationships with parents and any siblings, past and present

g. Peer relationships, past and present

h. Significant others/partners

i. Sexuality

j. Favorite memories/most unpleasant memories

k. Educational history

l. Spirituality

m. Vocational history

n. Family history re: health, including mental health

o. Date of onset of each symptom

p. How she/he describes herself/himself

q. Mental status type information

r. Presenting complaint

s. Hobbies, priorities, habits, how he/she spends his/her time

t. Anything else that you think is important to know in order to understand ones frame of reference

3. Provide a diagnosis and discuss differential diagnoses if applicable. Be sure to discuss what assessments/tests you would use to support your diagnosis. Be thorough here and discuss assessments relevant to diagnosis, behavioral or developmental symptoms, and cultural appropriateness.

4. Develop a Treatment Plan (using the I CAN START format presented in text). Be sure to address the impact of crisis and trauma. Include any psychiatric medications the client might be prescribed and subsequent side effects.

5. Provide information of empirically supported treatment(s) for the disorder category (minimum of 3 peer reviewed journal articles to support this section). Discuss how research is used to inform practice.

6. Discuss challenges/difficulties in working with such a client specifically AND a client in general diagnosed with such a disorder (e.g., things to avoid, things to be mindful of, and common misconceptions).

7. Conclusion

a. Brief summary of what you just presented: overview of character (who), main points of what you presented (what), and the purpose of presentation (why).

Please be sure to also include a separate reference list that includes all of the utilized references within your presentation. At least 4 references should be utilized and, thus, provided in this list: Textbook (1) and at least (3) peer reviewed journal articles of empirically supported treatments for your client. See Appendix C for grading rubric

The textbooks for this course are Kress, V. & Paylo, M. (2019). Treating those with mental disorders: A comprehensive approach to case conceptualization and treatment, 2nd Edition. Pearson. ISBN 10: 0-13-481456-8 Sinacola, Peters-Strickland, & Wyner Basic Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals. 3rd Ed Pearson ISBN 13: 9780134893648