Effective intervention strategies within social work practice necessitate comprehensive assessment. As advanced practitioners, it is crucial that we understand the interconnectedness of assessment and intervention and that we demonstrate the ability to formulate assessments with diverse clients and constituencies. At my practicum setting, I have integrated aspects of diagnostic classification systems to design and implement extensive assessments with the individuals and communities that I serve.
7.1: Formulate comprehensive assessments, using a variety of diagnostic classification systems
Course Evidence: In the advanced clinical assessment course, I completed a DSM-5 Disorder Case Construction. For this assignment, I created a realistic fictitious case construction of a person with a DSM-5 disorder, which included a symptom presentation, contextual factors, and initial treatment recommendations. The DSM-5 Disorder Case Construction I wrote can be viewed here.
Field Evidence: My practicum setting was unconventional in that it was a pilot initiative and I was one of two social workers on the project. Therefore, I designed my own assessment tool to utilize upon initial intake with each client I served. This assessment incorporated aspects of the bio-psycho-social and VI-F-SPDAT assessment models to effectively assess each client. Utilization of these tools allowed me to effectively address the client’s presenting needs and concerns, as well as establish goals collaboratively with each client and determine the most effective intervention strategies to implement. The assessment tool I utilized can be viewed here.
7.2: Design and implement organizational and/or community assessments
Course Evidence: In the advanced administration course, my group created a SWOT analysis to thoroughly assess the strengths and weaknesses of our proposed non-profit organization, Friends Helping Friends. The SWOT analysis can be viewed here.
Field Evidence: In September of 2020, I began serving as a co-investigator on a small, qualitative research study to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the Eviction Prevention Initiative. The study consists of local participants who received or are currently receiving services from the EPI. The interview guide we utilized for each participant interview can be viewed here.
Skills Present: My ability to formulate comprehensive assessments is made evident through the assessment tool I designed and utilized while serving as a social worker on the EPI. This tool incorporated aspects of two evidence-based models, which enabled me to accurately assess each client I served. The case construction assignment showcased my skills in closely analyzing presenting symptoms and contextual factors in order to determine an accurate diagnosis per criteria of the DSM-5. My community and organizational assessment skills were demonstrated through the SWOT analysis of my group’s proposed organization and through constructing the interview guide for the qualitative research study.
Knowledge Present: For each practice behavior demonstrated, I utilized knowledge obtained from my advanced clinical assessment courses, which taught me the skills and assessment tools needed to accurately assess individuals. I was also able to utilize evidence-based assessment models introduced in the advanced administration course when designing and implementing organizational and community assessments.
Values Present: The social work values of competence, dignity and worth of the person, and service were demonstrated within each of the evidences presented in this competency. I demonstrated dignity and worth through closely assessing each individual I served, utilizing evidence-based diagnostic tools that enabled me to determine effective intervention strategies that reflected each individual client’s presenting needs, preferences, and concerns. Competence and service were demonstrated through the design and implementation of community and organizational assessments that allowed my colleagues and myself to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our approach and processes. This gave us the opportunity to determine areas of improvement that would enable us to serve our clients more effectively.
Cognitive Processes: After conducting each interview with clients and research participants, I analyzed (analysis domain) the presenting concerns, needs, characteristics, preferences, and values to construct an accurate assessment. I applied (application domain) the information and data collected to the development (application domain) of intervention strategies for my clients and to the research study implications.
Affective Processes: After listening (receiving domain) to each client and research participant, I reviewed the information provided in order to complete an accurate assessment. This enabled me to integrate (organization domain) intervention plans that effectively addressed each client’s specific needs and to formulate (organization domain) research study implications based on the data collected.
Theoretical Foundation: A theory that correlates with this competency is Interview Illusion. This theory contends that after a brief interaction with someone, we believe we understand them sufficiently and are able to predict any future behavior. As an advanced practitioner, it is easy to assume we understand a client’s or a community’s needs fully from the initial assessment. However, it is crucial that we continually conduct ongoing assessment of the strengths, needs, and challenges of our clients and of the communities that we serve. This approach will enable us to continually evaluate our assessment tools and intervention strategies in order to effectively assist the clients and communities that we serve.