'Social Work Psychosocial Assessment\r'

'APRIL’S PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT Referral April was non a referral client; preferably she did her own research aft(prenominal) feeling unsupported by her previous therapist. She order this practice on the Pratt Institute listserv as she was face for a psychologist coterminous to instill. According to April, she authoritative a diagnosis of do threesome Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma five weeks agone and had non told whatsoeverone block to her. She indirect requested to talk to somebody â€Å" purpose” to figure out what steps to fulfill next. Client IdentificationDemographics: April is a 23 year-old womanhood who presently lives on campus at Pratt Institute studying computer architecture and urban planning. Her pargonnts are married and she has a 21 year-old br opposite, Daniel, who has a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Her father utilize to be in the army and straightway works for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, her gravel precautions for her br other. Employment/ fostering: April is in her second year at Pratt and presents to overwhelmed with watercourse workload, yet managing to get by.She seems focused and undeterred by her presenting issue to complete her education. It is unreadable if April is employed, she did not pay heed it. Income and Source: As declared above, it is unclear if April is presently working, receiving financial help from her parents, or receiving government loans and bursaries. unless development on her sources of income whitethorn need to be clarified to determine as this could entertain an relate on the economic aid avail open to her in the close-fitting future. However, her interest in alternative medicine could take to be she is not worried intimately finances.Living Environment: The specifics of April’s living environment are unknown. She has not stated any concerns closely her living website. Sources of Information The information contained in this assessment was acquired in an in psyche assignment with April that she accountd. No information was obtained from any other sources. Problem Definition April was diagnosed five weeks ago with put three Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. April stated she feels â€Å"tired” and has been experiencing â€Å"night travails” lately.Although, she states that she â€Å"knows” she has cancer, she seems to be in denial virtually the acerbity of her illness. April has a hard time talking close her diagnosis (she had to write it down), and seemed to be avoiding what she came to talk about although she expressed wanting to talk with someone objective who was not personally invested in her healthful- macrocosm. April was antecedently seen by a Pratt therapist, which she stated did not go soundly though she found her old psychiatrist â€Å" enough enough”, she felt that she was only a best listener with â€Å"nothing to say”.She seemed to be pestered with the previous therapists attempts to cont act her after she decided to retrovert acquittance, although she did not let her know she would not be return. April became very defensive attitude when talking about her family, when this prole asked if she felt that her brother took up most of her mother’s time, she quickly shot the idea down. She presents as universe exceedingly independent, yet extremely leal to her family. April communicated that she is falling behind on her tamework, she seems particularly concern with maintaining her current tone and does not appear to be winning her diagnosis seriously.April expressed wanting to explore her other options of acupuncture, herbal therapies, and meditation even though her oncologist suggested she begin chemotherapy immediately. April appears to be experiencing an internal conflict and seems to have a hard time trusting others or asking for help. History/Antecedents: April stated that she had a spit out that would not let up, as she grew tired of cough in cl ass she finally went to the health counterpunch at Pratt. She was prescribed antibiotics, which did not help her cough.She had resigned herself to tarry to speak to her dad, a retired army official now working for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. When she began experiencing night sweat she returned to the health center, where she was annoyed to be accused of taking demotet pills or using cocaine. After macrocosm sent to the Brooklyn hospital for a chest x-ray, a big mass was discovered behind her spine. A bone marrow biopsy was done and she was diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has been five weeks since April’s diagnosis and she has not told her parents or anyone close to her.It is unclear if April is aware of the magnitude of her illness, though she stated she knows she has cancer, she does not appear to be taking the diagnosis seriously rather she is carrying on with her tone as if nothing has changed. April expressed that perhaps she does not w ant treatment and perchance she would rather die than put her life in someone else’s hands. It is unclear if April truly believes that she has cancer. Past Solutions: As indicated previously, April received her diagnosis five weeks ago and presents as being in denial as to the distressfulness it entails.She previously was seeing another therapist, however she did not the likes of her and s aggrandisementped going after only dickens sessions. It is not clear as to what was discussed in these sessions, as April only said that her previous therapist was not much older that her, had â€Å"nothing to say”, and told her â€Å"the same story twice”. She stated that she halt going without manifesting her therapist she would not be returning and was overtly annoyed when the therapist tried to make pass her more times after, which she felt was â€Å"over the top”.April stated she has not yet began seeking aesculapian treatment, nor has she confided in her family as to her situation for their support. April seems overly concern with the reaction her family impart have upon receiving the news of her illness. It is possible that she is keeping this information from her family to protect them as s salubrious as to maintain her liberty. Contri onlying Factors: April’s diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was not brought on by any factors placed in the session. However, April’s tiredness and night sweat suit are probable symptoms of her illness.It is likely that April’s freedom is making it hard for her to tell her family and friends about her illness. She as healthful stated that her brother’s autism took up a lot of her mother’s time and that â€Å"no one talks about her” this could show where her independence developed from. April spoke about her recent pass out up with her boyfriend who she remains right-hand(a) friends with only when has a new girlfriend from a well off family. April stated that she has not told her boyfriend or friends about her diagnosis; April may be believe her denial of her diagnosis and keeping it to herself, makes it less real.Her softness to talk about her diagnosis may be a factor of her need to control her life as an independent young woman and not wanting to ask for support with her illness should be further explored. The Client System Functioning: April became defensive several times during this interview. She stated that she did not want to talk about her cancer diagnosis many times during the session. She expressed that she has been feeling tired and having swage sleeping, experiencing night sweats and waking up in a soaked bed. Other than the above April appears to be still functioning at a high school level nd is able to get to school and besides her recent assignments is doing fine at school. It should be noted that April appears physically to be in trade good health, she is a well-dressed, attractive young woman. She appear s to be well spoken and intelligent, yet she is in denial about her illness. Strengths/Coping Skills: During this interview April was commended for her independence, alike her loyalty towards her family was also a strength brought to her attention. April seems to have a blind drunk support system, although she is not using it at the moment. She has family and friends who care about her.April’s ability to remain in school and continue on with her studies is also a strength to be noted. Her communication skills are well developed, even though she was unable to express herself in this meeting there is potential for it in the future. Relationships and affectionate Support: It is unclear what the extent of April’s alliance with her family, friends, or community is. As stated earlier, April is a very independent young woman and though she did mention her family in the interview, she has not told them about her illness as she does not want to put any stress on them.Furthe r exploration regarding the depth and feel of her relationship is needed. During the interview, April expressed that she and her ex-boyfriend are still â€Å"good friends” and that they get along great. He however is unconscious of her diagnosis. April mentioned she has other friends but no other lucubrate were provided. April seemed to take a liking to this worker, and expressed being happy that this worker was older than she had expected. She seemed to have an aristocratic time talking as long as she was guiding the conversation but closed up upon being asked questions she did not feel like answering.Resources/Obstacles: April hold that she does not like to ask for help, she stated that she was able to go see a therapist at school. Though the sessions were quickly terminated they lead to her determination this practice and setting up an appointment. Although, she finds them inefficient, April identified the school’s health center and her oncologist as a present preference available to her. April mentioned her family but it is unclear if she sees them as a resource. She stated her brother suffers from autism and takes a lot of her mother’s time, and father is a lot busy.April also mentioned she has a good relationship with ex-boyfriend but acknowledged that she does not confide in him or her other friends. This suggests that April is used to fending for herself and her independence is an important resource to her. April’s need to control a situation presents as a obstacle for her, as she seems to close people off when they get too close to asking information she is not ready to share. This may have been the case with her previous therapist who she stopped seeing, claiming she was â€Å"incompetent”. April did not mention any other support systems.It is unclear if she has other individuals she can verify on and appears to have issues with relatedness. Professional Opinion April appears to be in denial about her diagn osis of stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma and what it entails. April appears to be taking the diagnosis as a big inconvenience rather than recognizing the seriousness if holds. April has not began treatment, although her oncologist has recommended that she begin immediately. She appears to be an intelligent, independent, young woman; it is possible her apprehensions on sharing her diagnosis with family are related to her not wanting to lose her independence.April appears to be more concerned with what her family’s reactions to diagnosis will be and the stress it may cause them, rather than what the diagnosis means for her health. It is this workers opinion that April is used to taking care of herself and is appalling that her parents will not be there to support to her if she puts herself out there. April’s having elect to look into alternative medical treatment, even with her oncologist’s advice to begin immediate treatment, shows her need to be in control of h er life.It is this worker’s opinion that April is fearful of giving up the one thing she has depended on her entire life; her independence and ability to care for her. During the interview, April mentioned other relationships; her ex-boyfriend, his new girlfriend, and friends. While these people maybe able to provide support to her in the future, April is before long not ready to share her diagnosis or ask them for help. Plan An intervention plan was not created as April left without formulating a plan or scheduling a second session.However, it is this worker’s opinion that the following steps need to be taken; April needs to recognize that there is no shame in asking for help or relying on others in her time of need, April should talk to her oncologist about her considering alternative medicine and see how she thinks she should proceed, and April needs to tell her parents about her diagnosis. As she left without scheduling an appointment and this worker is unaware if she will call to schedule one, it is unclear of what will transpire. However, this plan will be further discussed with April if she does make a second appointment.\r\n'