Running head: Assessment and Intervention Plan
Assessment and Intervention Plan Finals
Acquilla Gbunblee
CNDV 5381: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Lamar University
Spring 2022
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Assessment and Intervention
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Assessment and Intervention Plan- Finals
Assessment and Intervention are essential facets of all therapeutic settings. As a Marriage
and Family Therapy student, I strive to know how to assess and create appropriate intervention
plans designated for an individual client. Gladding (2019) noted that "the assessment of
individuals and their family relationships has been and is an evolving part of the marriage and
family counseling literature" (p.362). Assessments focus on specific families' elements and
usually include administering formal or informal tests or evaluation tools and observations. The
assessment starts the beginning of the therapeutic relationship, which continues throughout
treatment as discoveries/obstacles come up. For example, unexpected death may occur in the
family, which is essential to assess.
Intervention planning is another critical part of a therapeutic relationship. The whole
purpose of therapy is to address the problem with whatever technique the therapist chooses to
use with the client. After an assessment, the next step should be creating some form of treatment
planning to determine the appropriate course of treatment for a client.
For this assignment, the direction is to create an assessment and intervention plan for one
of the clients listed in a YouTube video we watched. I selected the first client, but his name was
not revealed. However, we will call him Devin for consistency and no confusion. The video
presenters were Norm Reuss and Insoo Kim Berg. They presented a step-by-step guide on
Solution Brief Focused Therapy techniques during sessions with different clients using drugs and
alcohol harmfully. They explained that the most important characteristic of the solution-focused
model is the future-focused aspect of how clients visualize their lives. The fear for the client to
generate their idea of how they want their lives to be. The client has typically no idea because
they probably never thought about it. Therefore, through a conversation in therapy, they can
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arrive at the idea of how they want their lives to be. The third point about Solution-focused
therapy is bringing out the client's strengths, resources, and solutions. They explained that clients
often have answers to their problems but have not discovered them until therapy. They can be
guided to come to realize those solutions. Dr. Berg explained that working with clients can be
very optimistic and they can change their future and that it's in their hands and they do know
what to do about it. Because of solution focus approach, clients give positive feedback about
how respectful the method is of them and their abilities.
During the video, the presenters explained four questions that they would use during their
sessions with clients for solution: goal negotiation, pre-session change about the exception to the
problem, questions about how the people around the client know if the client is capable of the
change; and different ways of asking and following up on the miracle questions, scaling question
and follow up questions; logical ways to show follow up on those questions.
Specific Issues facing the family
The client I chose from the YouTube video, I named him Devin. Devin noted that he was
referred to therapy by his probation officer, who felt he needed to work on his temper. Devin
explained that he and his girlfriend had a fight that turned physical. Devin described the fight as
silly! It started because he asked his girlfriend who the guy was calling for her at the house. "I
asked her a simple question about who he was. I felt she was lying, so I said she was lying. It
excelled into an argument and eventually to me hitting her a couple of times." Devin is 21 years
old and is currently on probation for this incident. He does not believe he can achieve anything
from therapy but is optimistic, but since he is here, he might as well get something out of it. He
explained that he tends to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and does not feel he is a bad
guy but tends to be caught up in many different situations.
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Family Life Cycle Considerations
Families are the institution of our experiences of the world. Therefore, our first
relationships are often where we initially feel a sense of belonging to a group (McGoldrick et al.,
2016). The Family life cycle is the intellectual and emotional stages a person passes through
from childhood into the final stages of life. These experiences shape how we deal with certain
situations using the skills we gain through life. Challenges are present within each life cycle
stage, allowing you to build or gain new skills. A critical takeaway about the family life cycle is
mastering the skills and milestones of each stage will enable you to move from one stage of
development to the next successfully. However, if you don't master the skills, you may still move
on to the next level, but you are more likely to have difficulty with relationships and future
transitions (Amirtha & Sivakumar 2018).
For Devin, although his historical background was not provided, what was provided was
enough to presume that he has not transitioned to the coupling stage very well. It almost seems
he blames his girlfriend for the incident and is not taking accountability that his temper allowed
that incident to escalate to a physical level. He regarded the argument as something "silly" which
means it was not a big deal to him, but if you are accusing someone of something, it is a big deal
to them. A lot of the time, domestic violence or violence stems from childhood experiences in
the home. Therefore, it is worth exploring with Devin if violence was a part of his upbringing
and how he has transitioned into his adult relationship.
Assessment Technique
There are many types of assessments that therapists use to help guide clients to where
they need to be. Erford (2018) states that the primary purpose of assessments in counseling is
screening, diagnosis, treatment planning, goal identification, and progress evaluation. As
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therapists, it is our objective to be the guide for our clients as they work on achieving skills and
goals. There are informal and formal methods used to assess couples, families, and individuals.
One assessment technique I am fond of is interviewing: observation and questioning. The
observation and questioning technique helps the therapist gather information about the client and
why they are in therapy to screen for significant problems and determine whether the help
offered fits the client's needs. At the beginning of the session, Devin was asked what brought
him to counseling, and he noted his probation officer asked him to see about his temper. He
disclosed a domestic violence incident that led to criminal charges. Therefore, it would be
beneficial to assess domestic violence level by using the power the "power and control wheel
which is geared towards men and equality wheel gear towards promoting positive behaviors such
as mutuality, respect, and egalitarianism" (Gladding, 2019, p.393). Since it appears that Devin is
not taking any responsibility for his action and does not seem to want to be in therapy, it is up to
me to challenge him to gain something from treatment, primarily address his violent tendency
and educate him through awareness and exercises.
Intervention Plan for the Family
Solution Focused-Brief therapy is one of the theoretical approaches I plan to use in my
professional career as a therapist. I appreciate solution focus therapy because it focuses on the
solution to the problems and discovering sources and strengths a person has, rather than focusing
on the issues. The two interventions I will use with Devin are the miracle question and scaling.
The miracle question allows the client to think deeper and identify a greater understanding of the
problem and how it affects them and motivates moving forward to overcome it after imagining
what it could be like to wake up without it (De Shazer et al., 1986). The question pose will be
“Devin, I want you to imagine that you went to sleep tonight and when you woke up the
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following day, your problems are solved. What would you do differently? The idea with this
question is for Devin to put a different perspective on his situation and enter a reality that he
wishes to achieve. Nevertheless, this question is asked after I have gained sufficient background
information on Devin. However, with the information gathered thus far, I believe it is enough to
ask the miracle question. However, it is his willingness to participate in intervention/treatment
planning that would allow the process to work.
The second Intervention I will use with Devin is scaling, which is to ask him, “on a scale
of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest), how far do you think you have come in solving your problem?”
For example, if Devin were to answer 5, my job as his therapist is to challenge him to think
about what it would take to be at a 6. The idea is to help Devin understand his goals, how
realistic they are, and the steps he would take to get there.
Research that Supports Intervention Plan
A solution-focused conversation is firmly interventive or socially constructive (Strong et
al., 2009). Scaling questions invites the client to talk about particular solutions and resources that
are significant and useful in sessions. Scaling questions elicits client responses that help solve
challenges during therapy. Strong et al. (2009) noted that scaling questions and answers offer an
observation of the client's new understanding and possibilities. With Devin, who has never been
to therapy, he will gain much better insight into why he is really in therapy and will be able to
problem-solve while working on his anger and temper. Strong et al. (2009) conducted a research
study on “scaling questions: askings and answering them in counseling.” They found that scaling
questions “linguistically construct new understanding and experiences for viable and solutions
clients can take beyond counseling” (p.182).
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The miracle question is another intervention approach I used with Devin. Research
indicates that the miracle question is an effective intervention that clients have found helpful
(Strong et al., 2009). However, it’s explained that an unanswered miracle question suggests a
failure to negotiate new meanings and ways of talking between client and therapist (Strong et al.,
2009).
Another research conducted by Meyer & Cottone (2013) stated that solution-focused
therapy reality is communicated through language, and the counselor adopts the client’s
language (p.48). Therefore, based on the client’s words, the counselor understands the problem
and solutions and considers the client’s viewpoint when interpreting the meaning in the client’s
language (Meyer & Cottone, 2013).
Another intervention supported in my session with Devin is the coping question, which is
used to determine how he has successfully managed his problems (Lee, 2003). Meyer &
Cottone's (2013) research study proved that the coping question allows a balance of harmony in
mind, body, and spirit reflected in how the client is coping. Their study regards SFT as culturally
acknowledging American Indians and that it is compatible with their view of change (it is
continuous and unavoidable).
Lloyd & Dallos (2008) conducted a research study on the first session solution-focused
brief theray with families. They discovered that SFBT is a “valuable structure for first sessions,
mainly as it seems to build functional therapeutic relationships, highlight self-efficacy and
encourage helpful coping styles” (p.5).
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Prognosis for Family
Devin is 21 years old in counseling due to his temper, and he is on probation for
assaulting his girlfriend during an argument. Devin presents with being easily angry and
struggling to contain his temper. Devin's support system includes his probation officer and his
girlfriend. He seems to be motivated to do well but does not believe he has anger issues as he
noted he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, being caught up in situations that
are not his fault. Devin is compliant on probation and wants to do well to be successfully
discharged. Devin has a good prognosis.
Multicultural Considerations
The A.C.A. Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association [A.C.A.], 2014)
highlights the core professional counseling values include “honoring diversity and embracing a
multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people
within their social and cultural contexts; and promoting social justice” (p. 3). Devin is African
American, and there’s a big stereotype regarding therapy/counseling in the black community. We
must consider what Devin’s outlook on therapy looks like in case an educational piece is
necessary to explore. As Devin mentioned at the initial session that there’s nothing he could see
himself getting out of therapy in an hour, but he is there and willing to give it a try. This tells me
that because he was court-ordered to do therapy is the only reason he would ever consider it. As
a counselor, I must be culturally competent and aware of diversity and injustice. However,
exploring if Devin would respond better to a black therapist, male therapist, or female therapist is
worth as multicultural refers to the ability of the therapist to approach counseling through the
context of the client and their surrounding.
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Ethical and Legal Issues
As a therapist, there will come a time when ethical and legal issues may arise. However,
preventive methods are necessary to ensure these types of dilemmas do not come up or when
they do, you are prepared to deal with them. In this case, Devin is on probation and is ordered to
complete therapy. Therefore, there need to be some HIPPA forms signed by him to ensure his
records are properly delivered if needed regarding progress reports to the court. I understand that
the court may force me to disclose privileged information from sessions. I hold all ethical codes
very seriously, especially confidentiality. It would be tough for me to reveal what a client said to
the court, but I know I can get into bigger trouble if I disobey a judge's orders. However, perhaps
making it an excellent practice to get Devin’s permission before disclosing the court-ordered
information would be in his best interest as his therapist. The A.C.A. Code of Ethics (American
Counseling Association [A.C.A.], 2014) section B.3.c. Confidentiality states that counselors
discuss confidential information only in settings in which they can reasonably ensure client
privacy (A.C.A 2014). Ethically, I am obligated to the oaths I take that if a client were to reveal
they are suicidal or homicidal with a plan, that I take appropriate measures to report such
concerns to the proper authorities, whether it’s A.P.S., C.P.S., or law enforcement. I would ask
Devin to sign a release if he wanted information to be shared with his probation officer regarding
his progress in therapy but assure him that I will not disclose any personal information we talk
about in therapy.
Theoretical Counseling Model
I plan to use Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as an approach with Devin. SFBT
is an approach that is focused on solutions-- finding resolutions. This theoretical model allows
the client and therapist to work together in figuring out a solution to the problem instead of
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focusing on the issue. To also help the client find their preferred future, whatever that may look
like. SFBT sort of allows the process to be guided in a positive futurist light that enables the
client to think deeper and more positively. Using the SFBT approach, I plan to invite the miracle
question, scaling question, and coping questions to guide the sessions and progress.
Reflection
Marriage and Family Therapy is a field I have always wanted to get into since high
school. I have always been fascinated with the mindset of humans as it relates to being in a
relationship. I often wonder how one situation happens and multiple people have different
perspectives on how they perceived it or saw it happen. This notion has always intrigued and still
does to this date. For example, in Devin and his girlfriend’s argument, he noted it was silly and
admitted to hitting her. He said it started because he asked her a simple question and felt she was
lying. Nevertheless, I am curious to know his girlfriend’s perspective on the incident and how it
went down in her mind.
Through my experience and learning in this course, I have learned that it won’t be easy to
counsel multiple people at a time. I need to keep up-to-date on theories and approaches as I
continue in practicum and internship, where I will get hands-on experience. However, my
knowledge base will encourage my clients to want to return to therapy and get more out of it as
they work on their goals. I want to be a competent therapist that is diligent in her practice and
diverse in knowledge. I am aware of my strengths, weaknesses, and areas I need to improve in
the counseling field. The most significant area I want to focus on is finding my voice, a calming
and settled voice that helps the client calm down or feel safe.
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References
American Counseling Association. (2014).
A.C.A. Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org
Amirtha, R., & Sivakumar, V. J. (2018). Does family life cycle stage influence e-shopping
acceptance by Indian women? An examination using the technology acceptance model.
Behaviour & Information Technology, 37(3), 267–294. https://doiorg.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1080/0144929X.2018.1434560
Choi, J. J. (2019). A case study of solution-focused brief family therapy. American Journal of
Family Therapy. https://doi-org.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1080/01926187.2019.1691083
Erford, B. T. (2018). Orientation to the Counseling Profession: Advocacy, Ethics and Essential
Professional Foundation.
Gladding, S. T., (2019). Family therapy: History, theory, and practice (7th ed.) Pearson.
Lee, M. (2003). A solution-focused approach to cross-cultural clinical social work practice:
Utilizing cultural strengths. Families in Society: Thejoumal of Contemporary Human
Services, 84, 385-395
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Meyer, D. D., & Cottone, R. R. (2013). Solution‐focused therapy as a culturally acknowledging
approach with American Indians. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development,
41(1), 47–55. https://doi-org.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1002/j.2161-1912.2013.00026.x
McGoldrick, M., Carter, E. A., & Garcia-Preto, N. (Eds.). (2016). The expanding family life
cycle: Individual, family, and social perspectives (5th ed.). Pearson.
O’Hara, C., Chang, C. Y., & Giordano, A. L. (2021). Multicultural competence in counseling
research: The cornerstone of scholarship. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(2),
200–209. https://doi-org.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1002/jcad.12367
Peixoto-Freitas, J., Rodríguez-González, M., Crabtree, S. A., & Martins, M. V. (2020).
Differentiation of self, couple adjustment and family life cycle: A cross-sectional study.
American Journal of Family Therapy. https://doiorg.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1080/01926187.2020.1736689
Strong, T., Pyle, N. R., & Sutherland, O. (2009). Scaling questions: Asking and answering them
in counselling. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 22(2), 171–185. https://doiorg.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1080/09515070903157321
Strong, T., & Pyle, N. R. (2009). Constructing a conversational “miracle”: Examining the
“miracle question” as it is used in therapeutic dialogue. Journal of Constructivist
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