Institute for Clinical Social Work
CL512 Case Conference II Spring 2010
Instructor: Ida Roldán, PhD., LCSW
Phone: 708-466-8363
E-Mail: i.roldan@sbcglobal.net
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the process of thinking psychodynamically and psychotherapeutically from the first moment of client contact. The emphasis is on the therapist’s self-awareness as the primary tool for conducting a psychodynamic assessment and psychotherapy.
Using core concepts of transference, countertransference, therapeutic alliance, therapeutic contract, developmental frameworks, treatment phase and motivation, among others, we will examine in detail the therapist’s attitude, activity and interventions. We will study the therapeutic encounter as it informs the clinical evaluation of the client.
The readings will focus on issues of clinical case writing with an emphasis on constructing a psychodynamic formulation. This semester will help students address the concepts necessary to the writing component of the clinical practicum.
Course Objectives:
- Students will understand the clinical attitude necessary for psychodynamic assessment and therapy.
- Students will develop self-awareness as primary tool for assessment
- Students will use core concepts of psychodynamic practice to examine the clinical interview.
- Students will practice writing a psychodynamic assessment with emphasis on psychodynamic formulation
Basis for Grade:
These four components are equally weighted in determining course grade:
- Active contribution to class discussion
- Discussion of all readings for class including; Outline of major points and questions to stimulate discussion
- Presentation of a detailed process recording from a recent case in beginning phase. The presentation should include a very brief description of the client, the presenting problem and why the person has come for therapy at this time and why you have chosen to present this case. The process recording should be e-mailed to instructor and classmates at least two days prior to class.
- Written Assignment – Using the Case Study Outline from the ICSW Student Manual students will choose a current case to write a case report. The assignment for this semester is to write a complete assessment with focus on the psychodynamic formulation. The assessment should be between 5-8 pages in length. The assessment will be due at the eighth class.
Required Text:
- Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press.
- PDM Task Force (2006). Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual. Maryland: Alliance of Psychoanalytic Organizations.
Class 1: PDM Task Force (2006). Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual. Pp.209-287
Readings: __Gina_________________
Case Presentation: ______Katie______
Class 2:
Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapter 1.
Readings: ________________________
Case Presentation: _________________
Class 3:
Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapter 2.
Readings: __________________________
Case Presentations: __________________
Class 4:
Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapters 4 & 5.
Readings: __________________________
Case Presentation: ___________________
Class 5:
Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapters 6 & 7.
Readings: __________________________
Case Presentation: ___________________
Class 6:
Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapter 8.
Readings: __________________________
Case Presentation: ____________________
Class 7:
Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapter 9.
Readings: ___________________________
Case Presentation: ____________________
Class 8:
Mc Williams, Nancy (1999). Psychoanalytic Case Formulation. New York: The Guilford Press. Chapter 10.
Readings: ___________________________
Course Review