DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELOR EDUCATION

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

 

DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN COUNSELING

 

 

MHS 7222-APPRAISAL OF CHILDREN, ADULTS, COUPLES AND FAMILES (3 credit hours)

 

                                                                                    

Catalog Description

Designed to extend one’s knowledge and skills in the appraisal and evaluation of children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Couple and child-family dynamics are emphasized.  Addresses both psychometric factors and clinical issues including family functioning, relational violence, child custody, divorce and mediation 

 

Course Rationale

This advanced course in appraisal techniques emphasizes the process of assessment and the utilization of assessment data in working with individuals, couples and families in clinical and non-clinical contexts.  It focuses on the relationship among formal assessment, case conceptualization and treatment planning. A wide variety of clinical appraisal techniques, i.e., standardized inventories, structured observation, projective methods and other self-report measures, useful in the assessment of children, adults, couples and families will be reviewed and critically evaluated. Participants will be encouraged to apply these assessment methods to a wide variety of family issues, i.e., alcohol and substance abuse, child abuse, divorce, mediation, health-related concerns, etc. 

 

Course Goals and Objectives

Course Goals:

The course assumes that the learner has had prior coursework and experience in psychological assessment. Accordingly, the goal of this advanced course is to enhance the learners’ knowledge and skill base in assessment, case formulation and treatment planning with individuals, couples and families. The following are the course objectives related to this goal:

 

Course Objectives:

1.         Determine an appropriate assessment strategy for specific individuals, couples, and families.

2.         Increase competency in assessing individual, couple, and family style and functioning.

3.         Incorporate standard psychological instruments, observational, and self-report methods in the assessment and evaluating individual, couple, and family dynamics.

4.         Relate individual dynamics and diagnostic considerations to individual, couple, and family style and functioning.

 

1.         Integrate assessment data in case conceptualizations, treatment planning, and report

            writing.

 

CACREP Competencies

7G; 7H; 8A-E

 

CACREP Doctoral Standards

Section II: C5; C6; C7; D5; D6

 

Instructional Method

This course is designed as an advanced seminar learning experience which consists of formal presentations, live and video demonstrations, and discussion. Each participant will be expected to be actively involved in the learning process via formal presentations and responding to others’ presentations.

 

Required and Recommended Readings

Required Texts:

Hood, A. &  Johnson, R. (2002). Assessment in Counseling: A Guide to the Use of Psychological Assessment Procedures, Third Edition. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

 

Sperry, L. (Ed.). (2004).   Assessment of Couples and Families: Contemporary and Cutting Edge Strategies.  New York: Brunner-Routledge


Recommended  Text:

Maruish, M. (Ed.). The use of psychological testing for treatment planning and outcomes assessment, 2nd edition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum

 

Other Readings:

Handouts as provided by the instructor.

 

Course Requirements

Clinical Case Report: A written case report of a complete appraisal/assessment of an individual and his/her partner or an individual and his/her family. The report should include background information, assessment methods utilized, results, case conceptualization, and treatment recommendations. Should follow the case report format provided by the instructor.

 

Clinical Case Report Presentation: Present the highlights of the Clinical Case Report in a case conference format.

 

Assessment Instrument Report and Presentation: Prepare an Assessment Instrument Report which is a summary sheet of the description and psychometric properties of an assigned instruments, i.e., Parent-Child Relationship Inventory, GARF, Marital Adjustment Inventory, MCMI-III, etc., following the format provided by the instructor. Administer the instrument to at least three individuals and/or families. You will make a copy of the instrument and your Assessment Instrument Report, briefly describe the psychometrics and clinical indications for its use, and report your personal experience giving, scoring, and interpreting the instrument.

 

Clinical Research Report: A research-based term paper on a mutually agreed upon topic involving appraisal/assessment in a clinical setting, i.e., assessment of family violence, divorce , mediation, child abuse, child custody, pre-marital evaluation, chronic health problems, etc. Paper should be in the range of 20-25 pages including references and follow APA Style guidelines.

 

Clinical Research Presentation: presentation of material based on the participant’s Clinical Practice Report.

 

Assessment and Grading

Prompt, regular seminar attendance............................................................................................... 10%

Clinical Case Report..................................................................................................................... 20%

Clinical Case Report Presentation............................................................................................  10%

Assessment Instrument Report and Presentation............................................................................ 25%

Clinical Research Report.............................................................................................................. 25%

Clinical Practice Presentation........................................................................................................ 10%

                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                   100%

Tentative Course Schedule

Week  Topics, Presentations, and Assigned Readings                                                                  

 

1          Introduction and Overview of Course

            Models and Issues in Assessment

           

2          Assessment of Optimal and Adequate Functioning Individuals, Couples and Families

 

3          Assessment of Midrange Individuals, Couples and Families

 

4          Assessment of Borderline Individuals, Couples and Families

 

5          Assessment of Severely Disturbed Individuals, Couples and Families

            Assessment Instrument Report Presentation

 

6          Qualitative Strategies

            Assessment Instrument Report Presentation

 

7          Observational Strategies

            Assessment Instrument Report Presentation

 

8          Standardized Psychological Instrument Strategies

            Assessment Instrument Report Presentation

 

 

9          Clinical Outcomes Assessment Strategies         

            Clinical Case Report Presentation

 

10        Couples Assessment Strategies and Inventories

            Clinical Case Report Presentation

 

11        Child Assessment Strategies and Inventories     

            Clinical Case Report Presentation

 

12        Family Assessment Strategies and Inventories

            Clinical Case Report Presentation

 

13        Child Custody Assessment Strategies and Inventories

            Clinical Research Presentations

 

14        Family Violence Assessment Strategies and Inventories

            Clinical Research Presentations

 

15        Future Prospects for Couples and Family Assessment

            Clinical Research Presentations

 

S= Sperry book

H = Hood & Johnson book

 

 

Bibliography

Ackerman, M. (1995).  Clinician’’s Guide to Child Custody Evaluations. Wiley.

 

Beutler, L. & Berren, M. (1995). Integrative Assessment of Adult Personality. Guilford.

 

Briere, J. (1996).  TSI: Trauma Symptom Inventory: Professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources.

 

Burns, R. (1982).  Self-growth in Families: Kinetic Family Drawing (Kfd). Brunner/mazel.

Butcher, J. (1990). MMPI-2 in Psychological Treatment. Oxford University Press.

 

Carlsson, E. (1997). Trauma Assessment: A Clinician’s Guide. Guilford.

 

Cattell, R. et al. (1988).  Handbook for the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionaire (16PF)

Institute for Personality and Ability Testing.

 

 

Duckworth, J. & Anderson, (1986). MMPI Interpretation Manual for Counselors and Clinicians. Accelerated Development.

 

Exner, J. (1993). The Rorschach: A Comprehensive System. Volume I, 3ed.  Wiley.

 

Levak, R. Marks, P. & Nelson, G. (1990) Therapist Guide to MMPI and MMPI 2 : Providing Feedback and Treatment. Accelerated Development.

McCann, J & Dyer, F (1996). Forensic Assessment with the Millon Inventories. Guilford.

 

Millon, T. (1997), Manual for the Millon Multiaxial Clinical Inventory––III.. National Computer Systems.

 

Myers, L. (1962). Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Consulting Psychologist Press.

 

Yingling, L. (Ed). (1998). GARF Assessment Sourcebook: Using the DSM-IV Global Assessment

 of Relationship Functioning.  Brunner/Mazel