Client Description And Intake Interview

Full Answer Section

Treatment History:

• Maria has received intermittent therapy for depression and anxiety since her divorce.
• She briefly participated in a domestic violence support group but dropped out due to transportation challenges.
• Maria has a history of unstable housing, moving between relatives' homes and shelters.

Assessment Information:

• Maria reports feeling overwhelmed and hopeless due to her housing situation.
• She has been sleeping poorly and experiencing increased anxiety and panic attacks.
• Maria expresses concerns about Diego's well-being and their ability to stay together.
• She has minimal income from part-time work and struggles to afford basic necessities.

Interview Outline:

Identifying the Problem:

• Open-ended: "Maria, can you tell me more about what brings you to our agency today?"
• Closed: "Do you have any specific concerns regarding your housing situation?"
• Open-ended: "How does your housing insecurity impact your daily life and well-being?"
• Closed: "When did you last feel safe and secure in your living situation?"
• Open-ended: "What other challenges are you currently facing besides housing?"

Establishing Problem Severity:

• Open-ended: "Can you describe your typical day and the challenges you face?"
• Closed: "On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most severe, how much does your housing situation affect your mental health?"
• Open-ended: "Does your housing insecurity impact your ability to work or care for your son?"
• Closed: "Have you ever considered harming yourself or others due to your current situation?"
• Open-ended: "What are your biggest fears and anxieties related to your housing and mental health?"

Assessing Strengths:

• Open-ended: "Tell me about what you're good at and what helps you cope with difficult situations."
• Closed: "Do you have any family or friends who offer support?"
• Open-ended: "What resources have you used in the past that were helpful?"
• Closed: "Are you currently receiving any mental health treatment?"
• Open-ended: "What are your hopes and goals for the future?"

Reflection on Biases and Pitfalls:

As a case manager, I am aware of several personal biases and interview pitfalls that could impact my ability to effectively help Maria. Here are some potential challenges and how I would address them:

Bias:

• Cultural Bias: I might unconsciously hold stereotypes about Latinas, judging Maria based on assumptions instead of her individual experiences.
• Socioeconomic Bias: My own background might influence my understanding of poverty and its challenges.

Pitfalls:

• Leading Questions: I could inadvertently lead Maria to specific answers, limiting her ability to express her unique situation.
• Closed-mindedness: I might be overly focused on finding solutions instead of actively listening and understanding Maria's perspective.

To overcome these challenges, I will:

• Maintain Cultural Competency: Actively learn about Latina culture and experiences, avoiding generalizations.
• Practice Self-Awareness: Regularly reflect on my own biases and how they might influence my interactions with clients.
• Use Open-Ended Questions: Encourage Maria to share her story without leading her towards specific answers.
• Actively Listen: Pay close attention to Maria's verbal and nonverbal cues, acknowledging her emotions and experiences.
• Seek Supervision: Collaborate with colleagues and supervisors to identify and address any potential biases impacting my work.

By acknowledging my limitations and actively working to overcome them, I can create a safe and supportive space for Maria to share her story and collaborate on solutions that empower her to overcome her challenges.

Sample Solution

Name: Maria Rodriguez (assumed) Age: 42 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Latina Current Need: Housing assistance and mental health support

Family History:

• Maria was raised by a single mother who struggled with addiction.
• She has two younger siblings, one incarcerated and the other estranged.
• Maria married at 18, but the relationship ended in an abusive divorce five years later.
• She has one son, 16-year-old Diego, who lives with her.