Assessment and Intervention

Abstract

In this chapter, it is an introduction of the assessment, intervention and termination processes as part of the casework process. It will provide an overview of three assessment, intervention and termination processes to work with clients with differing concerns such as; a behavior modification. Then a review of the task centered model which is a brief psychological casework method that is efficient to help individuals and families with problems in the family relations. Another assessment framework is a problem-solving framework which is used to diagnose problems and help clients is a problem-solving framework which is a cognitive activity aimed at changing a problem to a goal.

Case Studies

Each case study is set in Caribbean, please read each case study and answer the attached questions.

Valerie

Valerie is a 69 year-old woman of mixed ethnicity (Spanish and an African) who has sole custody of 14 year old Avery, her grandson. Events leading up to this arrangement was that her son Paul at 16 years old attending Caribbean Union College met Rose a 16 year old girl who already had a 2 year old son at the time at a party and soon after Rose gave birth to Avery. At 17 years old Paul dropped out of school and found a job to support his newborn son and Rose. All of them initially lived with Valerie and eventually moved out to an apartment in Tacarigua. After 3 months Paul felt the rent was too expensive and decided to move back in with his mother Valerie.

Valerie not knowing much about Rose other than she was a very small young girl with long black hair and dull yellow eyes was quite surprised with Rose passed away when Avery was 11 months old. The cause of death according to the corner was a rare form of renal failure. Paul, Valerie’s son was devastated by this and left Avery in the care of her while he pursued his business interests. Shortly thereafter, Paul became a small business owner where he sold items like clothing, perfumes and shoes on the pavement in Arima. He was successful for 3 years until he was shot twice in the arm and once in the stomach while seated in his car. Avery was 5 years old. Valerie recalls she was a passenger in a maxi taxi on her way to work when she received a call from her daughter that Paul has been shot. She recalls screaming murder and for someone to help her. When Valerie arrived to the Arima Health facility she saw her son’s corpse wrapped in a white sheet. Approximately 1 year after the death of Paul, Valerie sought legal guardianship of Avery and has been caring for him ever since.

At 8 years old Avery is about 4 feet 11″ and about 120 pounds, he is slightly taller than other children and maintains a serious face most of the time. According to Valerie, Avery is always upset about something. At home Avery is unable to sit still for long periods of time. He also pushes his younger cousins around since he is the oldest grandchild. Avery is a confident child with good eye contact and expressive language skills, he has healthy skin and nails.

Valerie states she has a great relationship with Avery, he is helpful in the kitchen and carrying out duties around the house. Avery is generally respectful to adults but at times he is rude and disrespectful to his aunts and Valerie’s present husband. Avery also has an uncle who beats him using his hands, feet, spoons, a dog leash, stones or anything he gets his hands on. Sometimes he is left with scars. Also when he is rude, Avery is physically punished and made to kneel for approximately 2–3 hrs on the tiled floor. He is also hit on his knuckles, knees and shin with a hairbrush.

In form one Avery’s behavior was described as acceptable in the first -term and then in the second term teachers started complaining that Avery was bullying other students, fighting often and stealing other children’s items. Avery is only disrespectful and will curse other children if they are disrespectful to him and talk about his mother offensively. Avery is usually pays attention in class except for Math and science. Although he like Mathematics his math teacher once called him, “filthy” and he did not like her comment so he refuses to pay attention in her class. In form two, the teachers claim Avery is intelligent but will fight other student and is sometimes disrespectful however he has never been suspended from school. The teachers also claim Avery does not have difficulty understanding any subjects and can apply himself to anything.

Avery indicated that he first learned that his father died when he was only 8 years old and his first thought was “no more licks”. Avery did not cry at the funeral and misses his father a lot when he thinks about him. Avery stated he does not miss his mother because he never knew her and his grandmother fills the role of mom in his life.

Questions

• 1. Who is the client?

• 2. What is the presenting problem?

• 3. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

Rhonda

Rhonda is a 28 year old East Indian woman who presented her 7 year old daughter Carrie to the Child Guidance Clinic in Port of Spain regarding a recent incident that occurred with her brother Ismeal who is 20 years old.

Rhonda stated her family history where her mother Olivia left the family home when Rhonda was 12 years old. Rhonda lived with her father and siblings Ismeal (20), Calvin (25) and Silva (26). Rhonda’s paternal grandmother lived in the same house and assisted with raising the children when her father went to work. Rhonda indicated that she had to look after her younger siblings and assumed all the household duties (i.e., cleaning, cooking, washing) after her mother left the home, she was 13 years old. At the age of 14, Rhonda and her siblings was taken by her father to live with his girlfriend in Sangre Grande for a few months to be closer to her school. Rhonda stated she dropped out of school in Form 1 because of lack of family support. She sold cigarettes and braided hair in order to support herself. At age 15, Rhonda went to live with her mother and Raj, live-in boyfriend in Arima. She lived there for approximately 2 years. She states she has had a rocky relationship with her mother but got along with her boyfriend. At age 16, Rhonda met Lin who was Raj’s friend and started a visiting relationship.

Lin was living with his mother and she moved in with them at the age of 17. Rhonda and Lin had Carrie and a little baby boy Kazam and Rhonda has been living with Lin ever since. Lin financially cares for the family and Rhonda maintains the housekeeping. On November 2013, Rhonda was home with her baby son and Carrie when her brother Ismeal arrived at her home about 9 am. This was not uncommon as he would visit their home approximately twice a week to have his hair braided. Ismeal would occasionally sleep on the couch in the living room. That day Ismeal was looking upkept and Rhonda told him to take a bath and change his clothes. After Ismeal took his bath Rhonda asked him to hold the baby while she also took a bath. The bathroom was located outside the house. When Rhonda returned Carrie told her ismeal pulled down his pants and touched her vagina, anus and put his penis in her mouth and told her to “lick it”.

Horrified Rhonda went to the neighbour’s house and contacted the police and Lin. When the police arrived Ismeal admitted that he placed his penis in Carrie’s mouth. Ismeal pleaded with her and told her that a male neighbour has incestuous relations with him when he was 8 years old. Ismeal was then handcuffed and taken to the police station. Statements were taken and the police said that it didn’t look like anything happened to Carrie. Carrie was not examined at that time. Rhonda looked at her brother and saw he was very remorseful and decided to drop the charges. Ismeal never visited Rhonda again and his father bailed him out of jail and no charges were pressed. Since then there has been no other occurrence of sexual abuse.

When Rhonda arrived home and went to give Carrie a bathe, she noticed that Carrie stated it her vagina and anus was burning her and she was unable to take a bowel movement for approximately 2 weeks due to the burning sensation. Carrie was examined by My. Hope and the blood work confirmed everything was normal and the examination did not confirm there was penetration.

Since the incident Carrie has become hyperactive and at times been screaming and shouting in school and at home. Carrie has regressed at school and in one incident removed her underwear and pant and threw it over the fence and even urinated behind the school. Carrie is restless, refusing to stay in her seat and has trouble sleeping at night. Carrie also has a low appetite. Rhonda has also been depressed and unable to function at home with her chores for at least 3 months. Rhonda also indicated that Lin is no longer affectionate towards her and they have not had any intercourse for approximately 2–3 month after the incident took place

Questions

• 1. Who is the client?

• 2. What is the presenting problem?

• 3. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

• 4. Create three questions you would use during the interview.

Tammy

Tammy is a 16 year old female of Indian and an African descent who was referred to the Child Guidance Clinci by the Eric William Medical Science complex regarding concerns of being raped, using obsene language, destroying property, attempted homicide of her mother and suicide. She a pretty well-kept young lady, who is slender with broad shoulder, her is a jet black and shoulder length.

Tammy was born to Cheryl and Horace in 1997. The Parent met in 1991 and maintained a visiting relationship, they had a miscarriage in May 1997 and Cheryl was pregnant with Tammy in 1997. In 1998, the couple ended the relationship because Horace was Anglican and wanted Tammy to be baptized as an Anglican and Cheryl was Roman Catholic and wanted Tammy to be baptized Roman Catholic. Horace also wanted his friends to be Tammy’s God parents and Cheryl objected to the notion. The couple relationship was rekindled in 1999 but ended in 2002 when Horace became involved in another relationship. Horace maintained a relationship with his daughter until she was 11 years old. Tammy complained that when she visited with her father he was often engaged in a sexual relationship with his girlfriend and would send her outside in the yard. Tammy also complained that he did not spend any quality time with her and his girlfriend often interfered in their conversations so Tammy no longer wanted to visit with him.

Cheryl met Morris in 2002 and they started a visiting relationship and gave birth to a boy Rowan. Tammy and Morris had a decent relationship as he was involved in her life. The couple ended their relationship in 2009. In 2011 Cheryl met and married Clarence and they all have been living together ever since.

In 2012 Tammy started going to MOMS and Cheryl hired a driver to take her to and from school. One morning in January Tammy told the driver to take her home so she could change her t-shirt. Tammy stated that when she went into her bedroom in her bra the driver threw her on the bed and began to kiss her. Then he took her back to school. Sometime again in April Tammy went back to the driver’s house where the driver attempted to have sexual intercourse with Tammy. He did not succeed and he took her back to school. At the time Tammy never told anyone about the incident, but later that month she tried to hang herself at her home. According to Cheryl, Tammy stood on the window ledge, tied a piece of rope around the burglar proof bar, tied a piece of rope around her neck and was about to jump when her maternal grandmother and stepfather stopped her.

Tammy complained to her family that no one loves her. A week later she was washing dishes and started to cry uncontrollably. When Cheryl approached her to find out what was wrong she told her that the driver attempted to rape her. The mother immediately took Tammy to the police station and reported the incident and Tammy was examined at the San Juan Health Center. Tammy was also referred for counselling and complained to the counsellor that she was seeing dead people. Tammy was then warded at Eric Williams Medical Complex and spent 1 week.

In 2013, Tammy began attending Eternal Life Vocational School. A couple of months later Tammy became physically and verbally aggressive to mother, younger sibling, stepfather, maternal aunt and maternal grandmother. She threatened her family with knives, used obscene language in the home and in public. To date Tammy continues to threaten her family. In one incident the family went on a boat ride and it is alleged that Kerwin, Morris’s friend and 35 years old gave an alcoholic drink to Tammy without getting the parents’ permission. When the parents found out about the incident more information was revealed that Tammy has been seen in Kerwin’s car on several occasions. When Cheryl confronted Tammy, Tammy denied there was a relationship going on.

Starting 2014, Tammy went to purchase a loaf of bread and did not return home for at least 2 h. When Cheryl called her cell phone, Tammy did not answer. After 3 h Tammy returned home and ran to the bathroom to take a shower. Her maternal grandmother when to check on her and saw there was a bite mark on one of her breasts and a bruise mark on her back. When prompted to find out what happened, Tammy refused to talk to her mother. Tammy however did tell one of her mother’s friends that she got into a fight with three men. When Cheryl found out this information, she took Tammy to the police station and made a report.

During Carnival time Cheryl took the children to see the festivities and saw her ex-boyfriend Morris who was working as a security guard. When Tammy saw him he was talking to another woman and she got upset. Tammy began to argue with Morris and accused him of having sex with her. Morris was arrested and is currently incarcerated. Later in March Tammy began to complain of stomach pains and her mother took her to the hospital. The doctor told her Tammy was pregnant. Cheryl asked the police officer what she should do about Tammy and the police officer said do what is necessary. Upon leaving the hospital Cheryl went to the pharmacy and purchased Cyotec. When they arrived home Cheryl inserted the Cyotec into Tammy’s vagina and Tammy bled for 8 days. Tammy ultimately miscarried.

Since this incident Tammy states that her sleeping patterns have been affected and was prescribed sleeping pills. Tammy took the sleeping pills and crushed them in a jug of juice and placed it in the refrigerator. Clarence, her step father poured some of the juice in a glass tasted it and found that it tasted funny. Later the family found out Tammy placed the sleeping tablets in the jug. The family did not report the incident. In June, 2014 Cheryl was sitting in her bedroom when Tammy came behind her and tied a rope and a piece of twine around her neck, Tammy began to tighten the rope and twine while accusing Cheryl of taking a piece of paper that belonged to her. According the Tammy’s maternal grandmother the paper in question was all the information about Tammy’s sexual activities such as the days and nights Tammy left the house without permission. The grandmother pulled Tammy off her Cheryl and Cheryl ran to a neighbour’s house.

Questions

• 1. Who is the client?

• 2. What is the presenting problem?

• 3. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

• 4. Create three questions you would use during the interview.

Ms. Wallis

Ms. Wallis is a 60 year, an African female old retired cleaner from the QRC secondary school she appears 10 years younger than her stated age. She is alert, oriented time three and able to make her needs known. She has an inviting smile and very talkative. She is a practicing roman catholic and attends church on Sundays and wears a picture of the saints on a necklace for protection. She was referred to the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex medical unit social service department regarding her son.

She complains of sleepless nights and restlessness. Her prior medical history was a surgery for fibroids in the early 1990’s as a result of heavy menstruation and benign lumps in her breast. She has a history of high blood pressure and cholesterol. She states her family has had a history of mental illness starting with her sister who was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 20 years old. Ms. Wallis stated she is originally from St. Kitts but migrated with her family to Trinidad when she was very young. Her father came to Trinidad seeking employment and more opportunities in Trinidad. Her father worked for the Trinidad and Tobago electric company and died unexpectedly in 1977 due to alleged food poisoning. Her mother was a cleaner at the then Polytechnic college renamed University of Trinidad and Tobago. Her mother also went to college and obtained a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition. Her mother later worked for the General hospital in Port of Spain as a dietician for 30 years. When her mother fell ill Ms. Wallis was her caregiver.

Ms. Wallis states that she was sickly as a child with cold and asthma and was absent from school a lot. She did finish 5 years of secondary education but was not successful at siting for the General Counsil Examinations. From then she was supported by her mother and attended courses for sewing. She met and married Fitzroy and 1 year into the marriage she had a son named Maxwell. Fitzroy migrated to England to study and she was to join him shortly. As her mother had a stroke and she cared for her, Ms. Wallis plans to migrate was curtailed and her marriage eventually ended. When Ms. Wallis’ mother passed, she was in her 30’s and did not have much work experience. Ms. Wallis younger sister was also living with her and she suddenly passed away in the house. Her sister had her first mental breakdown 1 year after having a baby out of wedlock. Her sister’s cause of death was elileptic seizure asphyxiation. She was 39.

Ms. Wallis has a live in relationship with George who is 5 years younger than her. Ms. Wallis has her pension and receives a disability cheque of $1500tt for her son. George works periodically as a security guard in Port of Spain.

Ms. Wallis states when Maxwell was 16 years old he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. At 34 years old he is now incapacitated and needs constant care. Maxwell does not have control of his bodily functions and wears a diaper. Maxwell often does not like to take a shower and when he does it is at 1 am in the morning. Since her bathroom is outside of the house she complains that she has to leave the front door open and this is not safe and interrupts her sleep. Maxwell is often left unsupervised in the home and Ms. Wallis leaves his breakfast and lunch for him. He does not go outside and stays in the house until she returns at 5 pm. Maxwell has a new habit of rubbing feces all of the wall of the house and Ms. Wallis thinks this has to do with his medication. He is currently taking Haloperidol and Cholorpromazine among other medications. Ms. Wallis appears frustrated because her house is dilapidated and smells of urine because of her son.

Questions

• 1. Who is the client?

• 2. What is the presenting problem?

• 3. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

• 4. Create three questions you would use during the interview.

Janice

Janice is a 35 year old, an African women who is currently working at a bank as a loan officer in Tobago and was referred by the Human Resources Department for employee assistance and counselling. She is 4 ft. 11′ and slightly obese. She appears well groomed and wears a wig. She attend the Anglican Church regularly but does not have a strong spiritual relationship, according to her she does it for appearances only. She is single and has no children.

Janice was born and raised in East Trinidad for Orville and Alice Knightbridge. Orville was a bus driver and Alice was a teacher. She also has two brothers Jeffrey (38) and Jamal (30) and a sister Jacqueline (21) who currently lives in England with an aunt. Janice’s parents passed away 5 years ago but was close to Jamal, who she often confides in but he has not been supportive of her during this turbulent period.

Janice attended Eastern Girls College and Arima Anglican School. At the age of 12, Janice was raped by her paternal uncle Jack numerous times and when she complained to her mother about the situation. Her mother hushed her and told her not to repeat the incident. Janice then confided in a close friend Rachel who was older than her about her hate and disgust for men. Rachel held her close for about an hour and told her it was okay to cry and feel the way she was feeling. She explained men are really dirty creatures and Janice should not trust them. After a few months Janice began to have deep feelings for Rachel and they began to have an intimate relationship. Her parents soon found out and her father kicked her out the house and she went to live in Moriah, Tobago with a family friend. Janice continued her education and obtained her six O levels. She also began a relationship with another woman for about 2 years.

Janice obtained a job at the bank and lives on her own. Her family became aware of her sexual orientation and began to distance themselves from her. Even her brother Jamal is no longer available to talk to her like he used too. Janice started a new relationship with Sherry, who is a police officer. They bought a house and they live together. Sherry began to physically abut Janice because of her drinking. Janice is presently drinking up to four drinks a night. Janice met Sherry at a party and they started dating each other for the last 4 years. Sherry was very protective of Janice and was very kind to her. They share the bills in the home and take trips around the Caribbean. About 1 year ago, Sherry commented that she noticed Janice was drinking too much and too often. Janice did not see it as a problem and continued drinking. One night Janice and Sherry were at a party and Janice passed out on the floor. Sherry was so embarrassed that when they arrived home Sherry slapped Janice and told her to stop drinking. Janice complied for a couple of months and returned to drinking again. Ever since Sherry has been hitting her at least once a week. They have stopped sleeping together and now Janice sleeps on the couch.

Janice is experience difficulty functioning at work and grieves tearfully for the loss of her both parents, although she was kicked out of her home at an early age. Janice also complains about the lack of communication with her siblings and aunts and uncles.

Questions

• 1. What is the presenting problem?

• 2. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

• 3. Create three questions you would use during the interview.

Alicia

Alicia is an 11 year old female who was referred to the Child Guidance Clinic from the San Juan Health facility due to her exhibiting abnormal behavior towards her siblings and peers at school.

Alicia’s father was deported from Canada when he was 23 years old because he was allegedly involved with selling illegal drugs. Upon his return to Trinidad, he resided with his grandmother. Alicia’s father Joseph met her mother Erin when she was 17 years old. They shared a visiting relationship because Joseph’s grandmother did not approve of the relationship. However, Erin would stay with Joseph at his home unbeknownst to his grandmother. Other times Erin lived with her mother. A year into the on-again off again relationship Erin became pregnant with Alicia. After her birth Erin began to use marijuana and (pipe) cocaine with Joseph. Their union produced four children Alicia (11), Jarad (10), Simone (8) and Afia (13 months). Joseph seldom worked construction and was supported by his grandmother. It is alleged that the couple would take the children to the mall to shoplift and beg.

When Alicia was 8 years old her younger sister Afia died at 13 months old. Afia’s death was under investigation because of some bruising on her body. The autopsy revealed that cause of death was pneumonia and bruising caused by administration of CPR. About a year after Afia’s death, Erin ended the relationship stating she was tired of the drug use, Joseph’s possessiveness and his physical and sexual abuse.

On March 2011, Erin’s mother filed for legal custody of the children and was granted care and control of the children. She shared custody with the biological parents who were allowed liberal access. Also in 2011 Erin began another relationship with another young gentleman Joey, moved in with Joey and left the children in the care of her mother. Erin and Joey lived together for 2 years but Joseph wanted to reconcile with Erin and she did not. According to Erin, Joseph would stalk her and threatened to burn down the place where she was staying. Erin ended the relationship when Joseph was arrested and charged with a drug offense. At that time Erin and Joseph briefly reconciled.

By the end of 2011, Joseph was enrolled in the drug rehabilitation programme at the New Life Ministries Drug Rehabilitation Centre at Mt. St. Benedict. Erin never entered a drug rehabilitation program while Joseph finished one program and entered into the Piparo Empowerment Centre. However he left the program 1 month earlier and was living with his children and Erin’s mother. Erin’s mother stated they attended church regularly and Joseph would take the children to visit with his grandmother on Sundays.

In early 2012, Erin entered another relationship with a fellow named Sebastian. Sabastian was both a friend of Erin’s and Joseph’s. On September 2012 at 5 p.m. Erin’s mother called for Joseph to bring the children home as they were visiting his grandmother. Alicia called her mother to come over to help her with a school project. Joseph put his son Jarad to bed as he had a stomach ache. It is alleged upon the arrival of Erin and Sabastian an argument between Joseph and Sabastian ensued. Joseph asked Erin to tell Sabastian to leave. Erin and Sabastian left the house and Joseph followed them out of the house. Sabastian refused to leave and was leaning against his car speaking with a neighbour. Erin saw Sabastian pull something out his care and push Joseph, a scuffle ensued. Sabastian and Joseph fought for a little while and then Joseph fell to the ground. Erin’s mother saw Sabastian with a bloody pen knife in his hand. Joseph got up and walked around the front yard saying Erin looked what you caused and then collapsed and died.

Sabastian was held that night by police at Four Roads police station but was later on freed on self- defense.

As Alicia witnessed the entire incident her behavior has changed. Her mother still lives with Sabastian. Alicia becomes very sensitive towards topics regarding her mother. Alicia will slap and cuff her younger siblings. Alicia stated that if Erin her mother becomes pregnant by Sabastian she will kill the baby. Alicia also does not want to attend school.

Questions

• 1. What is the presenting problem?

• 2. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

• 3. Create three questions you would use during the interview.

Laure

Laure is a 61 year old, an African Trinidadian male who was referred to the Mt. Hope Medical Clinic social work department because of moles on his penis that hurt when he is having sexual intercouse. Laure is a clean, neatly dressed genetleman with a polo shirt tucked into his pants. He has a recently shaved beard and a low haircut. He is calm and he maintained good eye contact.

Laure was the first of two boys born to Mavis Smalls and Darwin Padels. As parents they had an on again, off again common-in-law relationship until his father left when Laure was 6 years old. Laure never saw his father again and his mother took care of him and his bother on her own. Laure recalls at age twelve he heard his father was killed in an altercation with another man. He was 43 years old at the time. His mother cleaned homes and washed clothes for a living. Laure remember fondly that she was hardworking and made sure they were clean and had food to eat. Mavis had another relationship some years afterwards with another man name Charles, they eventually married after 3 years. Laure was about 10 years old.

Laure attended a primary school in Port-of-Spain until he was in fifth standard level. Laure learned a trade in construction where he worked for many years.

Laure remembered after his mother got married, they as a family attended the Seventh-day Adventist services regularly. It was around that time the entire family were baptized and things changed for the better. Laure felt Charles treated he and his brother like his own children and he was very good to his mother. Laure’s mother passed 4 years ago at the age of 83. Laure admits at the time of his mother’s death he was in a depressed mood occasionally.

Laure went to live on his own at 28 years old and during that time he confessed his church attendance declined and he started smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Laure stated he stopped smoking 10 years ago but continues to drink alcohol socially with friends. Laure however, maintains he still prays and reads the bible.

Laure was never married but fathered two children Junior 32 years old and Abbey 29 years old during a common-in-law relationship with Joan which ended 4 years after the birth of his second child Abbey. His daughter Abbey lives in Tobago and is married and his son junior is very supportive of him and sees him regularly. Since then Luare has not maintained a stable relationship for the past 20 years. He considers his sexual activity is sporadic and when he does have sexual relations he uses a condom at times but asserts that his sexual partners are people he ‘knew’ for some time. Luare admitted to have gonococcal infection more than a year ago but failed to seek help for it and opted to treat it himself. Since then he has had no problems until ‘moles’ appeared on his penis. Prior to this visit he has never done a HIV exam and did not know his status. During this visit Laure has been told that he is indeed HIV positive.

Questions

• 1. What is the presenting problem?

• 2. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

• 3. Create three questions you would use during the interview.

Janice

Janice is a 35 year old, an African women who is currently working at a bank as a loan officer in Tobago and was referred by the Human Resources Department for employee assistance and counselling. She is 4 ft. 11′ and slightly obese. She appears well groomed and wears a wig. She attend the Anglican Church regularly but does not have a strong spiritual relationship, according to her she does it for appearances only. She is single and has no children.

Janice was born and raised in East Trinidad for Orville and Alice Knightbridge. Orville was a bus driver and Alice was a teacher. She also has two brothers Jeffrey (38) and Jamal (30) and a sister Jacqueline (21) who currently lives in England with an aunt. Janice’s parents passed away 5 years ago but was close to Jamal, who she often confides in but he has not been supportive of her during this turbulent period.

Janice attended Eastern Girls College and Arima Anglican School. At the age of 12, Janice was raped by her paternal uncle Jack numerous times and when she complained to her mother about the situation. Her mother hushed her and told her not to repeat the incident. Janice then confided in a close friend Rachel who was older than her about her hate and disgust for men. Rachel held her close for about an hour and told her it was okay to cry and feel the way she was feeling. She explained men are really dirty creatures and Janice should not trust them. After a few months Janice began to have deep feelings for Rachel and they began to have an intimate relationship. Her parents soon found out and her father kicked her out the house and she went to live in Moriah, Tobago with a family friend. Janice continued her education and obtained her six O levels. She also began a relationship with another woman for about 2 years.

Janice obtained a job at the bank and lives on her own. Her family became aware of her sexual orientation and began to distance themselves from her. Even her brother Jamal is no longer available to talk to her like he used too. Janice started a new relationship with Sherry, who is a police officer. They bought a house and they live together. Sherry began to physically abut Janice because of her drinking. Janice is presently drinking up to four drinks a night. Janice met Sherry at a party and they started dating each other for the last 4 years. Sherry was very protective of Janice and was very kind to her. They share the bills in the home and take trips around the Caribbean. About 1 year ago, Sherry commented that she noticed Janice was drinking too much and too often. Janice did not see it as a problem and continued drinking. One night Janice and Sherry were at a party and Janice passed out on the floor. Sherry was so embarrassed that when they arrived home Sherry slapped Janice and told her to stop drinking. Janice complied for a couple of months and returned to drinking again. Ever since Sherry has been hitting her at least once a week. They have stopped sleeping together and now Janice sleeps on the couch.

Janice is experience difficulty functioning at work and grieves tearfully for the loss of her both parents, although she was kicked out of her home at an early age. Janice also complains about the lack of communication with her siblings and aunts and uncles.

Questions

• 1. What is the presenting problem?

• 2. What casework approach would you use for this case and why?

• 3. Create three questions you would use during the interview.