1. Unit 3: Project: Clinical Interviews Case Study

2. Unit 3 Case Study: Margaret Margaret, age 27 James, age 9: Margaret’s son Miranda, age 3: Margaret’s daughter Children’s father: unknown L.J.: Margaret’s boyfriend Margaret’s mother

3. Margaret’s Situation Margaret presents with this story: “I have two children and my boyfriend who comes over on the weekend. I am presently having trouble with my 9-year- old son from a former relationship. He goes to school daily, but I think he is getting in with the wrong crowd. His grades are not very good this year. We lived with my mom and dad until my dad had a heart attack and died. My mom works about 40 hours/wk. now, and it isn’t too good to have my son over there alone. We still live with Mom, but money is tight now. My mom’s getting only half-time hours soon, and I will be working nights at the local club. I get good money there.

4. Concerns About James James is home alone a lot now, and I think he may be getting into a gang or drugs or something. When Dad was living, things were a lot easier. Right now, I think I am drinking too much myself, and my son seems pretty hyperactive. He can’t focus on school or homework and won’t do much of what I say when I am home. It’s too much for me right now. Mom and I have been fighting about money and my new boyfriend because I spend more time with him than with James. James thinks L.J. is cool. That’s my boyfriend. He is, but I know he is not a good father type for my son. He’s drinking a lot and gets kind of mean sometimes with us. Oh man, I am not sure what I should do.

5. Stressors So we are getting behind on the rent now, and things are not getting any better. L.J. keeps asking for money for cigarettes and beer. He brings it home for us too. But we need to pay some bills right now. I think I need some help to get things back on track. My Dad died real fast. It’s been about a year now, and we all are a mess still. It’s not getting better yet. What do you think I should do? Miranda, my 3- year-old, is a mess. That kid has more energy than any kid I know. She goes to my sister’s house when I am working. Seems she is there all the time. My sister doesn’t mind. She’s too much for us, and even the Head Start people say there must be something wrong with her. Do you think I should put her on those drugs for kids that are too active?”

6. Unit 3 Project Instructions Read through the case study Ask yourself if you need information that is not provided in the case study to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Ask yourself from whom this extra information should come. Do you need to interview those mentioned in the case study (Margaret, Margaret’s mother, James, Miranda, or L.J.)? Are there others that you could ask for information? Remember the ethical guidelines found on the APA website. What ethical implications should you consider in interviewing those mentioned in the case study and those not mentioned? See: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx

7. Interview Questions Develop 20 questions that you feel would give you the answers you need to assess the situation (you can design them to be in the style of a structured, unstructured, or semi- structured interview.).

8. Sample Chart QuestionType of QuestionIntervieweeMock AnswerInterview Type Have you noticed a change in James’ behavior recently? Open ended Margaret’s mother Yes, he is staying in his room a lot. He doesn’t tell me about his day like he used to. Semi-structured Is James coming home from school immediately after final bell? Yes or No. Closed question Margaret’s mother NoSemi-structured Does L.J. use alcohol or drugs around the children? Open ended Margaret Yes, he usually brings a six-pack of beer with him. Semi-structured Follow-up Does L. J. get drunk around the children? Open ended Margaret He usually gets “happy.” Semi-structured Create chart with the following information:

9. Unit 3 Project Instructions Once you have designed your chart, ask yourself how each question will aid in your assessment. List/discuss those reasons beneath the chart. Because your questions and the person that you are interviewing will dictate what type of interview technique you will select, you may have a different interview technique for each of your interviewees. List (in the chart) what interview technique you will use with each interviewee (structured, semi- structured, or unstructured).

10. Using the APA code of conduct (ethical) guidelines, describe which code applies to your questions and interview type. Why is that guideline appropriate? Also, list any guideline that you feel applies when interviewing a client.

11. Further Interviews? Tell us if you feel it is important to your assessment process to interview those not mentioned in the case study and why. What information would you seek from these people? Tell how that information would help the assessment.

12. What Next? Discuss how you will proceed once the interviews are complete. This can address further needed information, outside interviewees, referrals, etc.

13. APA Style Remember to use APA style. The word requirement for this essay is 1200-1800 words. The chart and title page are not included in the word requirement. You can access information on APA style quickly and easily by going to the following link: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch09_ s1-0002.html

14. Writing Tips  Always provide an introductory paragraph  Summarize the case study – never copy it  Use formal writing style:  Do not use contractions in formal writing  Make sure you have tense agreement  Insure that you have complete sentences  Do not use colloquialisms  Cite all source material  Use quotation marks to denote direct quotes  Use proper punctuation (especially commas)