As an alternative to the transcript analysis, you may choose to do a case conceptualization. This project is similar in nature to that of one of the case studies in Wedding and Corsini's book, except: (1) it should be done with a literary or historical figure with an identifiable Axis I or Axis II disorder; and (2) you would talk about the conceptualization and therapy process that you would engage in should you see that person in your own therapy office.

The literary or historical figure could be obtained from any of a number of sources, including the bibliography I gave you this semester. If the course of therapy you describe is substantially similar to that described in that book, I will consider your work plagiarism and grade it accordingly. In other words, it would be acceptable to choose to "work " with Dibs from Virginia Axline's Dibs: In search of self, but it would be inappropriate to use a client-centered viewpoint, as she describes this well.

Your paper must consist of four sections. These are:

• a brief biography. You do not have to fully describe your figure, although most of you might want to include demographic variables such as age, race, ethnicity, and religious orientation; number of siblings and rank in sibling order; relationship, work, and health status; the nature of relationships with parents, partners, children, and friends; hobbies, wishes, and goals; crises, trauma, or stressors; strengths and weaknesses; and symptoms bringing your "client" to "therapy. " A DSM-IV diagnosis or diagnoses should be provided.

• a case conceptualization from one theoretical model. This conceptualization should make clear what factors have caused the psychopathology. They should be distinct to the theoretical model you have chosen. If you choose to discuss Dibs from a psychoanalytic viewpoint, you should talk about ego development, defense mechanisms, etc., not conditional positive regard.

• a description about the goals of therapy as well as the methods for reaching those goals. If the "problem " is poor ego development, how would you go about treating this deficit? What therapeutic tools would you use and why? Would you use different techniques at the beginning of therapy than at the end? While you may choose to produce dialogue for therapist and client, this is not necessary.

• a reference section. This section should document those sources where I could go to learn more about your "client, " as well as those you went to in order to increase your understanding of your theoretical system. You should have approximately five to ten references.

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Last updated August 31, 1998