Choose one of the clinical cases described in one of the Recommended Books noted on the syllabus. The cases are written either from the perspectives of existential/ humanistic therapy (Yalom’s cases) or psychodynamic therapy (Luepnitz’s cases; Gottlieb’s cases, including her own therapy). The task in this 5-8 page paper is to a) conceptualize one of these cases from another perspective (e.g., how might a CBT therapist understand why one of these cases “worked”); and b) suggest the ways in which relational variables (e.g., positive regard; empathy; the therapeutic alliance) contributed to the success of this therapy.
Choose one of the clinical cases described in one of the four Recommended Books noted below. The cases are written either from the perspectives of existential/ humanistic therapy (Yalom’s cases) or psychodynamic therapy (Luepnitz’s cases; Gottlieb’s cases, including her own therapy). The task in this 5-8 page paper is to
a) conceptualize one of these cases from another perspective (e.g., how might a CBT therapist understand why one of these cases “worked”); and
b) suggest the ways in which relational variables (e.g., positive regard; empathy; the therapeutic alliance) contributed to the success of this therapy. More details are provided in the grading criteria below.
Recommended Books:
1. Gottlieb, L. (2019). Maybe you should talk to someone: A therapist, HER therapist, and our lives revealed. Houghton Mifflin.
2. Luepnitz, D. (2003). Schopenhauer’s porcupines: Intimacies and its dilemmas: Five stories of psychotherapy. Basic.
3. Yalom, I. (1989). Love’s Executioner. Basic Books.
4. Yalom, I. (2015). Creatures of a day: And other tales of psychotherapy. Basic Books.
**Three of the four recommended books are available as free eBooks through library. The other book, Schopenhauer’s porcupines can be purchased online for rough $14.
Submission Guidelines:
Please remember to submit your paper as word docs (rather than PDFs).
GRADING CRITERIA:
Use of Citations and APA Formatting (10 points):
• Integrate a minimum of 3 distinct outside citations from original sources, excluding the book which you are writing about. Class readings can be used as sources as well.
• Ensure both in-text citations and the references section follow APA guidelines.
• Adhere to APA guidelines for student paper formatting, as outlined in the provided link:
APA Formatting and Style Guide. This sample paper may also be useful to check out:
Sample of APA Student Paper
Quality of Writing and Editing (10 points):
• Demonstrate a high standard of writing, encompassing grammar, punctuation, and overall
style. Edit the paper for clarity, coherence, and conciseness.
Introduction (20 points):
• Clearly outline the key elements and issues presented in the case.
• Concisely describe the treatment process, including the orientation of the therapist and
the interventions used throughout.
• Also, briefly describe the nature of the relationship and how it unfolds between the
therapist and the patient, paying attention to the common factors.
Main Body
1. Re-conceptualizing the case from the perspective of a different therapeutic
orientation (20 points):
o Conceptualize the patient and their presenting issues from the viewpoint of an
alternative therapeutic approach compared to the one originally presented (e.g.,
CBT, DBT, Humanistic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, etc.).
o Briefly outline the treatment process, detailing not only your conceptualization of
the patient but also highlighting the focus of this treatment. Describe the
interventions and techniques that might be utilized.
2. Mechanisms of Change (20 points):
o Identify the key mechanisms of change within the chosen therapeutic approach.
Illustrate a nuanced understanding of how these mechanisms contribute to the
treatment’s effectiveness.
o Briefly describe specific interventions and strategies that leverage these
mechanisms.
3. Role of Relational Variables (20 points):
o Describe what the relationship between therapist and patient might look like in
this re-conceptualized case. How might the therapist act towards the patient?
What might the therapist try to convey to him/her/them? Think about the common
elements.
o Describe the importance of attending to and understanding this aspect of the
treatment (i.e., how this might impact the patients’ process and outcome).
Please remember to submit your paper as word docs (rather than PDFs).
GRADING CRITERIA:
Use of Citations and APA Formatting (10 points):
• Integrate a minimum of 3 distinct outside citations from original sources, excluding the book which you are writing about. Class readings can be used as sources as well.
• Ensure both in-text citations and the references section follow APA guidelines.
• Adhere to APA guidelines for student paper formatting, as outlined in the provided link:
APA Formatting and Style Guide. This sample paper may also be useful to check out:
Sample of APA Student Paper
Quality of Writing and Editing (10 points):
• Demonstrate a high standard of writing, encompassing grammar, punctuation, and overall
style. Edit the paper for clarity, coherence, and conciseness.
Introduction (20 points):
• Clearly outline the key elements and issues presented in the case.
• Concisely describe the treatment process, including the orientation of the therapist and
the interventions used throughout.
• Also, briefly describe the nature of the relationship and how it unfolds between the
therapist and the patient, paying attention to the common factors.
Main Body
1. Re-conceptualizing the case from the perspective of a different therapeutic
orientation (20 points):
o Conceptualize the patient and their presenting issues from the viewpoint of an
alternative therapeutic approach compared to the one originally presented (e.g.,
CBT, DBT, Humanistic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, etc.).
o Briefly outline the treatment process, detailing not only your conceptualization of
the patient but also highlighting the focus of this treatment. Describe the
interventions and techniques that might be utilized.
2. Mechanisms of Change (20 points):
o Identify the key mechanisms of change within the chosen therapeutic approach.
Illustrate a nuanced understanding of how these mechanisms contribute to the
treatment’s effectiveness.
o Briefly describe specific interventions and strategies that leverage these
mechanisms.
3. Role of Relational Variables (20 points):
o Describe what the relationship between therapist and patient might look like in
this re-conceptualized case. How might the therapist act towards the patient?
What might the therapist try to convey to him/her/them? Think about the common
elements.
o Describe the importance of attending to and understanding this aspect of the
treatment (i.e., how this might impact the patients’ process and outcome).