Type Case Study

Read the case study below and write an essay explaining how a counsellor might
understand and work with this client from the perspective of gestalt or narrative therapy.
Case study
Marion is a 45-year-old woman who comes to see you because she is “feeling down” and
a friend recommended counselling. Marion describes herself as an “empty-nester” – she
has three children, and the youngest has just left home to go to university in a different
state. Her other two children are also living away from home, and Marion tells you that
they are both married with busy jobs and lives, and so she does not see them as often as
she would like.
For most of her life, Marion has been a “stay-at-home Mum” and has looked after her
husband and children. Her husband, Tony, has his own business and works long hours
and often on weekends. Marion has some close friends and has always been happy with
her role in life, but now that her last child has left home, she says she has been feeling
lonely and is struggling to find a new focus in life. She has looked into study and tried
various other hobbies recommended by her friends, but has been unable to find
something to keep her interest. She tells you that she has begun to question whether she
really made the right choices in life. Her husband loves his work and some of her friends
have always been working mothers, while Marion feels that she has never really achieved
anything in life other than raising her children well. She now wants to do something for
herself but does not know what.

Your case study should include:
• an overview of the principles and goals of the approach you have chosen
• an explanation of how Marion could be understood from the perspective of your
chosen approach
• a description of how a counsellor might work with Marion using your chosen
approach
• examples of questions or dialogue that might be involved in taking this approach
• an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of taking this approach with
Marion
• reference to relevant literature, linking your ideas to theory discussed in the unit

Marking Criteria – Case Study (this is the marking criteria for this assignment and case study is worth 50% so please try to meet these, thanks)
Content
1. Overview provided of the principles and goals of the
chosen approach
2. An explanation provided of how Marion could be
understood from the perspective of your chosen
approach
3. A description provided of how a counsellor using the
chosen approach might work with Marion
4. Examples provided of questions or dialogue that might
be involved in taking this approach
5. The advantages and disadvantages of taking this
approach with Marion evaluated
6. Evidence of familiarity with relevant literature and theory
7. Evidence of integration of theory and practice
Structure
8. Appropriate introduction provided that clearly articulates
the topic
9. Main ideas clearly and logically presented
10. Appropriate conclusion provided that summarises the
key findings/ideas
11. Relevant literature used properly
Subtotal: / 85
Yes No Partial
Written Expression
12. Third person writing style used
13. Fluent writing style used with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
Presentation
14. Presentation guidelines followed as specified in the Academic Skills
Guide
15. Word count within 10% of requirement
Referencing
16. In-text referencing guidelines followed as specified in the Academic
Skills Guide, and if not covered in the ASG then by the APA
convention (6th edition)
17. List of references provided as outlined in the Academic Skills Guide,
and if not covered by the ASG then by the APA convention (6th
edition)
Subtotal: / 15