Overview: For this discussion activity, you will read a vignette, write a paper based on it, post a link to your paper to the discussion area, and comment on peers’ papers.
Vignette:
Mary Kaye (51) and Tracie Jean(42) have been in a committed lesbian relationship for 5 years. Mary divorced 6 years ago after realizing she was lesbian; she has 2 adult children. Tracie has always recognized that she was lesbian; she has always wanted children. Both are career women; Mary has a successful banking career and Tracie is a high school teacher and coach. This Caucasian couple lives in an all-white suburban neighborhood and approximately 1 year ago they adopted 2 African American girls; Tasha (8) and Niesha (6).
The girls grew up in inner-city and have been in and out of foster care both with other family members and strangers for nearly 4 years before being adopted. Their history is quite painful. The biological mother was addicted to heroin and the father was incarcerated for life. Tasha has been sexually abused on at least 3 known occasions, the last was while in the care of her maternal grandmother, she was assaulted by a male cousin (16). It is not clear if Niesha has been abused, though it is suspected.
The adopted parents are seeking therapy for Tasha because of increased acting out at school (fighting, grades falling, not following directions) and home (lying, stealing insignificant things, not following directions). The couple does not have concerns about Niesha’s behavior. Tasha has begun individual sessions with you and she presents quite pleasant and age-appropriate but you also suspect a lot of sadness. Mary is quite concerned about Tasha’s behavior and why she does not do better. Mary tends to be the disciplinarian but you have some concerns about what seems to be extreme tactics, i.e. she will take something of Tasha’s without her knowledge in order for her to ‘know what it feels like when your things are stolen’. Tracie is concerned as well but feels at a loss because of the girls’ horrific beginnings. Both parents feel that since the girls are in a better school and home, they should be doing better.
Though reluctant, Mary and Tracie will consider family therapy as well and you are considering parental couples’ work to address parenting skills and expectations.
Write a 3 – 6 page paper.
Using the Lerner text, select a developmental theory that we have not addressed thus far and apply it to one (1) family member in the above Vignette. You may also use the Crain text as a reference. Discuss how the developmental theory of your choosing might facilitate an understanding of the family member that you selected. What developmental questions would you want to consider? Be sure to clearly state the developmental theory used and the main theoretical ideas or tenets. Be sure to include how a humanistic perspective fits (or does not fit) with your conceptualization. Remember, the purpose is to explore how developmental theory can inform clinical work; demonstrating theoretical comprehension and application in relation to humanistic psychology. This is not an exercise in developing therapeutic strategies or interventions; instead, keep your focus on how the theory contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced by the selected family member.
To be clear, this assignment is about the developmental experience of one (1) family member – not about treatment or therapy or the entire family. It is an opportunity to apply developmental theory in the family vignette.
Post your Clinical Vignette paper here as an attachment/link to share with peers.
Review at least two papers and then share your reflections or thoughts when you consider the theoretical approaches utilized to explain developmental processes. Keep your posting brief yet informative.
Reminder: Be sure to respond fully to the discussion prompts. Your first post should be formal and scholarly. Include references to the course material(s) and/or outside sources. Cite your sources in APA style. Make your postings on time.
The posting with your paper is due Sunday, March 27. Your response posts (2 minimum) are due on Wednesday, March 30. Be sure to post on time. No credit is awarded on late discussion posts.
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