D642: Advanced Generalist Practice II
Guide for assessing the client/family-larger system relationships
1. Assessing the Involvement of Larger Systems
a. Past
b. Present
c. Questions to Explore:
1. What larger systems are presently involved with the client and or
family?
2. For how long and with what frequency has the client and or family
worked with larger-systems?
3. What is the client and or family's history with larger-systems?
4. What is the nature of the relationships between your client, the
family, and other professionals involved with your client-system?
2. Definitions of the problem
a. Agreement/disagreements
b. Larger system mandates
c. Preferred locus of blame
d. Whose problem is it?
e. Hidden agendas
f. Questions to Explore:
1. How does the client/family and larger systems define the problem?
2. What are their preferred approaches to dealing with the presenting
problem?
3. Do larger systems individual mandates shape the definition of the
problem?
4. Are there any areas of agreement?
5. Where are the disagreements between participants in the helping
network?
6. Are there hidden agendas by members of the different helping
systems?
3. Assessing Relationships between Helping Systems
a. Symmetrical relationships
b. Cross-system alliances/coalitions
c. Triangulation
d. Questions to Explore:
1. Are there prevailing and escalating patterns of symmetry between
the client/family and larger systems?
2. Are symmetrical relationships within and between helping systems
reflective of symmetrical relationships within the family?
3. Are symmetrical patterns within or between larger-systems conflict
with the implicit definitions shaping the client-helper relationships?
4. Are individual family members forming inappropriate
alliances/coalitions with members of the larger-systems helping
network?
5. Are two or more larger systems involved with the client/family
fighting over the definition of the problem or preferred intervention
plan?
4. Assessing Boundaries
Questions to Explore:
1. What is the nature of the client/family boundaries with the larger systems
(Are they too diffused or too rigid?)
2. Is there a struggle ensuing regarding appropriate boundaries?
3. Are there any of the systems seeking allies in order to renegotiate
boundaries indirectly?
4. Is the client/family and larger-systems boundary temporary or more
permanent?
5. Designing Macrosystemic Interventions
Questions to Explore:
1. Does your intervention plan target the macrosystem, regardless of the
specific person or subsystem to whom the intervention is given?
2. Does your intervention plan pay attention to the relationship patterns and
themes in effective ways?
3. Does your intervention plan avoid replicating rigid relationship patterns
between client/family members and members of larger-systems?
4. Does your intervention plan make use of resources efficiently and
effectively and in the best interest of meeting the client/family’s needs?