Client assistance
Begin by deciding the type of agency and job that interests you, and imagine you are a professional working at this. (Note: The career planning exercises you completed for the Units 1–8 Learning Journal will help you with this part of the Assignment.)
Next, create a hypothetical client or use one from a prior exercise in our class. Follow the suggested structure below for writing your paper. Add relevant details and leave out minor ones that are not relevant to the client’s progress. While you will not be required to write papers for these meetings, you will be required to report this type of information and to be organized and prepared. This exercise will assist you in developing a case presentation for when you really will be making them.
Suggested Organization of Paper: use sub-headings to organize your information:
Type of agency and your role/job description (no sub-heading)
Client name and demographics (no sub-heading)
Presenting problem (sub-heading): What was the reason for the client enrolling in service at your agency? Be specific about the problem, but do not add many extra details by “telling the client’s story;” just write a few sentences about the problem as the client perceived it.
Goal (sub-heading): What are the client’s main intervention/treatment goals? Be specific and add as many as you can think of that would relate to the full scope of services that your agency might provide. However, remember that clients may want to limit their goals to three goals at a time or fewer so it is important to prioritize goals. Goals should adhere to the SMART criteria.
Needs (sub-heading): What other needs does your client have that others in your agency or outside agencies might be able to provide or assist in making referrals?
Crisis (sub-heading): Probably, your client is not currently in crisis, so you would simply report that the client is stabilized and there are no ongoing crises for the moment. If your client is in the middle of a crisis, you would briefly describe it, only giving facts that are relevant.
