Theory Application Paper (25%) – This is a paper you will write to demonstrate your thorough understanding of a) one of the clinical theories, b) some brief history that informs this theory, c) a current model that applies the theory, d) a specific diagnostic category and the appropriate application of the theory and model to those symptoms.

In this course we have discussed Assimilative Integration (see William Borden; Messer) as the approach you will develop for the use of theory as a new clinician. In this paper you will articulate:

Briefly explain what you understand pluralistic or integrative theoretical approaches to be

What your theoretical “home base” will be (what that theory is and why you have selected it as your base)

Psychopathology considerations related to your home base theory Each of the elements of the paper are described in detail below.

Integrative Approach (2 pages)

I suggest you start with the reading in the SWDR (Worden) that focuses on pluralistic and integrative theory and then use 2 other external sources to inform your writing about this. Explain what this concept means. Also, consider answering questions such as “What are the incorrect applications of this approach? What are the correct applications of this approach?”

Your Home Base Theory (3 pages)

Explore one theory from this course that will help you to do your job as a social worker. Theories that are options for this paper include: Psychodynamic; Cognitive; Social Learning; Constructivist; Family Systems (refer to the handout from the beginning of the semester that shows groupings of theories). You may copy and paste portions of your reader response assignment in this section but you must go back and provide correct citations. Additionally, you should bring in at least 2 additional resources other than your course textbooks or readings for this section. In other words, if you pull from your reading response paper for this theory paper (and I recommend you do) then you will need to add more information and provide a more robust overview of the theory than what you have in your reader response papers. See outline for this section below.

Outline:

An overview of a theory you select (briefly explain the overarching concepts)

Include the strengths and weaknesses of this theory

Explain how the theory addresses the following:

How behavior change occurs (theory of change)

How the theory explains that problems and concerns emerge to begin with (theory of explanation)

Depending on what theory you select, a and b may be brief and/or combined.

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Identify one practice model (*see details below) that is related to this theory and briefly explain what the model includes. Examples of models you might select from include Adlerian psychotherapy; CBT; ACT; REBT; Structural Family Therapy; Solution Focused Therapy; Narrative Therapy; Discuss how you see evidence of the theory in the model.

*The section on theoretical model – Identify one model that relates to the theory you selected.

Explain the nuts and bolts of this model and how you see evidence of the theory in the model.

When selecting your theory, figure 2 may be helpful. There are four areas of consideration. The first reflect your own personal preferences. What do you like to work with, what seems best suited for you? The second is the agency context. Some agencies reflect their own bias as to approaches to the client.

Third, what does the evidence-based literature say are the best practices for your client group or intervention focus? These three elements then all focus on the fourth element, the needs and concerns of the client.

1372235199390003.Psychopathology considerations for your Home Base Theory

Choose a pathology out of DSM 5 that you feel can be adequately treated by the theory and model that you selected for the section “Home Base Theory”: In this second part of the paper, please research one of the various physical or mental health problems. You may select which one you would like to investigate, but it should be one that you would anticipate encountering a lot in a future internship, current or future employment. (It needs to be different from the one you presented about in practice class). You may use the DSM 5 and the Craighead psychopathology book for portions of this section but you must use at least 3 additional resources.

Important components

Description of this disorder including prevalence (don’t forget that even the DSM 5 requires you to provide a citation or it is plagiarism)

Please do not include the diagnostic criteria list straight out of the DSM . You may include what symptoms may be present, but please only use a few sentences to convey this without taking up ½-1 page of the paper using the DSM 5 diagnostic criteria lists as they are printed in the DSM 5.

BRIEF Historic background of this disorder including how previous mental health professionals explained the cause and interventions for this disorder.

Current thinking on the pathogenesis and mechanisms of this disorder. In other words, what is the course of development? (why does it begin and or persist?)

What your theoretical home base says about this diagnosis and/or its symptoms. What does your theory say helps the client make change in response to their symptoms?

An Overview of Your Paper

You will write a well-researched paper of approximately 8-9 pages. You must use 7 scholarly resources (in addition to any textbooks you use). I will take points off for websites or non-scholarly resources (must be a respected textbook or book about the topic (not someone’s lived experience or a peer-reviewed journal article). I expect you to use the assignment to pursue advanced theoretical knowledge that is important to your professional goals and development.

I take plagiarism seriously and will make a report to the Honor Council. Make sure you provide in-text citations for all the resources you consult (even if not a direct quote) and provide proper citation for direct quotes. Additionally, make certain you provide a correctly formatted references page.

Rubric – this paper can earn up to 200 points and is worth 25% of your overall course grade. Please use the following Rubric as an outline for this project:

Integrative approach (25 points)

Overview of the meaning of this concept

Your Theoretical Home Base (75 points)

An overview of a theory you select (briefly explain the overarching concepts)

Include the strengths and weaknesses of this theory

Explain how the theory addresses the following:

View of human nature

How human change occurs (theory of change)

Identify one practice model that is related to this theory and briefly explain what the model includes. Examples of models you might select from include Adlerian psychotherapy; CBT; ACT; REBT; Structural Family Therapy; Solution Focused Therapy; Narrative Therapy; Discuss how you see evidence of the theory in the model (this is where you will earn most of your points on this topic)

Psychopathology Considerations for your Home Base Theory (75 points)

Description of this disorder including prevalence (don’t forget that even the DSM 5 requires you to provide a citation or it is plagiarism)

Please see guidelines above about how to NOT use the DSM 5

Brief Historic background of this disorder

Current thinking on the pathogenesis and mechanisms of this disorder. In other words, what is the course of development? (why does it begin and or persist?)

What your theoretical home base says about this diagnosis and/or its symptoms. What does your theory say helps the client make change in response to their symptoms?

Construction of the paper (25)

Well-written

Appropriate references

Proper APA formatting

Additional Considerations:

o Use a minimum of 7 scholarly journal or book resources in addition to books used in this course

Things to avoid

Do not quote the instructor or any of the hand outs, power points from class or personal discussion. Look up these topics and find primary documents.

Do not include any websites as references in your paper. They will not be acceptable.

Be sure to read primary authors, not just commentaries. If you are researching Adler, and then read Adler, etc. The commentaries are often useful to get a broader understanding of your primary author, but it is important to read the author as well.

DO NOT quote Wikipedia or any standard dictionary. Any definitions you may need must come from documents that pertain to your subject matter.

NOTE: points will be taken off for any of the above.