Families Experiencing Pervasive Mental Illness Or Health Issues

As you explored in this week’s Discussion, assessment becomes more complex if a couple or family member shows signs of pervasive mental illness or a significant health concern. Using theory-based interventions may help you navigate this challenging terrain.

For this Assignment, consider a couple/family where one member has a severe and persistent mental illness. (Note: This may be a fictitious case or a case from your professional experience). Think about how you would conceptualize the couple’s/family’s problems using the lens of your chosen theoretical orientation. Using the Walden Library, locate two evidence-based journal articles that support interventions for the present issue.

The Assignment (2–3 pages)

Identify the pervasive mental illness or health concern present in the couple/family.
Conceptualize the couple’s/family’s problem through your chosen theoretical orientation.
Design a treatment plan including short- and long-term goals.
Explain two evidence-based interventions you would use to address the couple’s/family’s issues and how you would use them. (Note: The interventions may not emerge from your chosen theoretical orientation.)
Justify the intervention you selected with two evidence-based research articles.

SOCW 6456: Social Work Practice With Couples and Family Systems

Treatment Plan Template

Instructions and Template for Treatment Plan

Use the following treatment plan template for the treatment plans you design for the Discussions and Assignments in this course.

Identified strengths: Includes strengths that will help client achieve long-term goal(s) (e.g., supportive family). Client should help identify. Initially, it may be difficult to help client identify more than one or two strengths, but as the course of treatment continues, more should become evident. Identified problems/deficits : Includes factors in client’s life that may impede successful recovery.
Long-Term Goal(s):	Short-Term Goals	Objectives	Strategies	Expected Outcome (With Time Frame)
Stated as broad desirable outcome that will be broken down into short-term goals and objectives; usually, one long-term goal will be adequate for first year.	Series of time-limited goals that will lead to achievement of long-term goal	Statements of what client will do to achieve short-term goal. Stated in measurable, behavioral terms	How objective will be carried out or accomplished	Objective, measurable desirable outcome with timeframe

Long-Term Goal(s):	Short-Term Goals	Objectives	Strategies	Expected Outcome (With Time Frame)
Example: 1. John will remain abstinent from use of heroin and all other mood-altering substances and behaviors for 1 year, as demonstrated by negative random drug screens and self-report.	Example: 1. John will successfully complete residential treatment.	Example: 1. John will attend and actively participate in all individual and group counseling sessions. 2. John will admit he has an addiction problem.	Example: 1. Schedule one individual counseling session and five group counseling sessions weekly. 2. John will complete Step One of the Twelve Steps.	Example: 1. Staff and self-report of regular attendance and active participation in individual and group counseling sessions (30 days). 2. Self-report to counselor and members of group sessions (30 days).