Case Conceptualization Rubric for Theory and Treatment Planning in Counseling and Psychotherapy (Gehart, 2013; Brooks/Cole)

With CACREP Career Counseling Competencies

Date: Student: Evaluator:

Level of Clinical Training: Pre-clinical training; coursework only 0-12 months 12-24 months 2+ years

Rating Scale5=Exceptional: Skills and understanding significantly beyond developmental level4=Outstanding: Strong mastery of skills and thorough understanding of concepts3=Mastered Basic Skills at Developmental Level: Understanding of concepts/skills evident2=Developing: Minor conceptual and skill errors; in process of developing1=Deficits: Significant remediation needed; deficits in knowledge/skillsNA=Not Applicable: Unable to measure with given data (do not use to indicate deficit)

5 4 3 2 1 Comps Score

Introduction

Detailed yet succinct intro that identifies client, age, ethnicity, occupation, grade, etc. Descriptions clearly set context for understanding problem.

Complete intro that identifies client, age, ethnicity, occupation, grade, etc.

Basic information related to age, ethnicity, occupation, grade, etc. included.

Missing 1-2 identifiers.

Missing, incorrect or significant problem with identifiers and/or significant involved parties.

NA

Presenting Concern; Stakeholders’ Views

Description of problem provides sophisticated depiction of all stakeholders’ views; word choice conveys empathy with each perspective; descriptions clearly contribute to coherent conceptualization.

Description of problem provides useful description of all stakeholders’ views; word choice conveys respect for perspectives.

Includes description of problem for each person and key stakeholders.

Minor problems or lack of clarity with problem descriptions; missing stakeholders.

Significant problems with problem descriptions; missing key perspectives; incorrect characterization.

D1 NA

1

Background Information

Includes detailed yet succinct description of recent and past events and traumas. Selected information helps develop coherent conceptualization.

Includes useful summary of recent and past events and traumas with time frames.

Includes summary of key recent and past events and traumas.

Insufficient, minimal or missing background information.

Significant information missing; unable to identify significant events.

C3 NA

Client Strengths& Diversity

Insightful identification of strengths; able to identify subtle diversity resources and limitations and how these may impact counseling process.

Clear articulation of useful strengths; able to identify several key resources and limitations related to diversity, oppression, and marginalization.

Identifies several strengths as well as significant resources and limitations related to diversity.

Underdeveloped description of strengths. Missed one or more significant diversity limitation.

Significant problems identifying clinically relevant strengths and/or diversity issues.

D1E1E2E3E4

NA

Psycho-dynamic and Adlerian

Sophisticated analysis that coherently and succinctly relates defense mechanisms, object relation patterns, developmental stages and style of life themes. Clear sense of core dynamics emerges.

Thoughtful and coherent descriptions of defense mechanisms, object relation patterns, developmental stages and style of life themes.

Identifies key issues in defense mechanisms, object relation patterns, developmental stages and style of life themes.

Minor errors or inconsistencies in descriptions of defense mechanisms, object relation patterns, developmental stages and/or style of life themes.

Incorrect, poor characterization of defense mechanisms, object relation patterns, developmental stages and style of life themes.

A5 NA

Humanistic-Existential

Sophisticated analysis that coherently and succinctly relates expressions of self, existential issues, and boundary disturbances. Clear sense of core issues developed.

Thoughtful and coherent descriptions of expressions of self, existential issues, and boundary disturbances.

Identifies key issues in expressions of self, existential issues, and boundary disturbances.

Minor errors or inconsistencies in descriptions of expressions of self, existential issues, and boundary disturbances.

Significant problems with expressions of self, existential issues, and boundary disturbances; misidentified issues.

A5 NA

2

Cognitive-Behavioral

Sophisticated analysis that coherently and succinctly relates behavioral analysis, ABC analysis, and schemas. Clear sense of core themes emerges.

Thoughtful and coherent descriptions of behavioral analysis, ABC analysis, and schemas.

Identifies key issues in behavioral analysis, ABC analysis, and schemas.

Minor problems conceptualizing behavioral analysis, ABC analysis, and schemas.

Significant problems identifying behavioral analysis, ABC analysis, and schemas.

A5 NA

Family Systems

Sophisticated analysis that coherently and succinctly relates assessment of family life cycle, family structure, and intergenerational patterns. Clear depiction of how family patterns relate to problem.

Thoughtful and coherent descriptions of family life cycle, family structure, and intergenerational patterns.

Identifies key issues in family life cycle, family structure, and intergenerational patterns.

Misses minor issues in family life cycle, family structure, and intergenerational patterns.

Misses significant issues related to family life cycle, family structure, and intergenerational patterns.

A5D1

NA

Solution-Focused

Sophisticated analysis that reveals creativity in identifying solutions that did and did not work; behavioral, positively stated, and easily implementable answers to miracle question.

Able to identified several useful exceptions to the problem; answers to miracle question behavioral and positively stated.

Provides examples of solutions that did and did not work; behavioral answers to miracle question.

Solutions and miracle question not approached from a strengths perspective; lack usefulness and practicality.

Significant problems with assessment of strengths and/or does not demonstrate understanding of miracle question.

A5 NA

Narrative, Dominant Discourses, and Diversity

Thoughtfully identifies effect of dominant discourses in client’s life; able to meaningfully

Detailed description of the effect of dominant discourses in client’s life; able to meaningfully

Clear description of key diversity issues and broader social discourses affecting client and experience of

Minor issues with identification of social and dominant discourses.

Misses one or more significant diversity issue and/or unable to usefully identify its effect on the client’s life.

A5E1E2E3E4

NA

3

identify several cultural, SES, gender, and larger social discourse issues and outline how these intersect. Addresses oppression and marginalization.

identify at least two cultural, SES, gender, and larger social discourse issues.

problem.

Overall Conceptualization

All elements of case conceptualization clearly fit to create a unified understanding to guide counseling process. Sophisticated conceptualization that identifies subtle issues.

Well developed conceptualization that enables reader to a have a clear sense of client and core issues.

Provides a useful description of key issues for developing treatment plan. Few if any inconsistencies.

Several minor inconsistencies that are not clearly reconciled.

Significant problems with conceptualization, such as irreconcilable discrepancies or missing key issues.

A5 NA

©2007. Diane R. Gehart, Ph.D. www.counselingcompetencies.org

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