GUIDELINES for the Family Therapy Writing Assignment (FTWA):

*** The Family Therapy Writing Assignment (FTWA):  Each student is expected to meet with an individual, a couple, or a family and ask permission to interview as part of a student assignment.  The student is expected to compose a family case study. Use first names (not initials). The FTWA should be a minimum of five pages, a maximum of six pages, excluding the title, abstract and reference pages and the genogram and ecomap.  Five recent peer-reviewed articles must be referenced. 

The FTWA must follow the following GUIDELINES: Family Interview and Assessment, Clinical Hypothesis, Therapeutic Approach, Summary, Genogram, Ecomap and References. Refer to the FTWA PPTs under FTWA within the N779 BB Course.

The Family Interview and Assessment (20%) includes afamily interview.  If you are unable to meet with a family you may meet with an individual or couple.  Follow these guidelines to conduct the interview:  Gather all relevant demographic information related to the immediate family:  gender, age, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, education, occupation, socioeconomic position, and, if relevant, migration history.  Include pertinent history regarding medical, developmental, psychiatric, and substance use (history and current use) history.  Identify significant events and relationships:  births, deaths, marriages, divorces, moves, and accidents. Identify the “problem” and the “identified patient” (IP). Recount the history of the “problem.”  Be specific. When did the problem begin? Identify corresponding events.  How does the “problem” impact the relationships between family members and the overall functioning of the family?  As you learn about the “problem,” be sure to identify family members’ perceptions of the problem and what created it and sustains it.  Identify why the individual or family is seeking help now and what each member hopes to get from the family therapy experience.  Identify strengths and resources that may help this family find relief from the “problem.”  Identify interactional patterns between people.

Compose a Clinical Hypothesis (5%). Assess the functioning of this family. The assessment should include the following points:identify ways in which the family relationships are or could be related to the presenting problem in both adaptive and maladaptive ways.  Form one tentative clinical hypothesis about what you feel may be the cause of the “problem” within the family. Describe and state your hypothesis clearly. 

Determine your Therapeutic Approach (25%). Consider the following family therapy models discussed in class: psychodynamic, systems, structural, strategic, experiential, or solution-focused.  Choose one of these models to use as an approach to treatment with the above stated individual or family. Begin by writing a summary statement about the model (include the basic assumptions/concepts of the model).  Provide a rationale for choosing this model.   Identify the goals of therapy, describe one intervention and specify it to this family.  Provide an expected outcome.  

Construct aGenogram (20%). A minimum of a 2 generational genogram must be constructed in order to depict the contents of the interview as outlined above.  To construct the genogram use standardized genogram symbols and format.  Use relationship lines relevant to the IP and the immediate family. Provide a key for all symbols used.  Handwritten genograms must be legible. 

Design an EcoMap (10%).  Identify the social systems relevant to the IP and describe the relationship the IP has with these social systems. Provide a key for all symbols used.  Handwritten ecomaps must be legible.  

This must be a Scholarly Presentation (15%).  The FTWA must be typed and conform to format as outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Seventh Edition. Refer to the APA Professional Paper posted under FTWA within the N779 BB Course.

Class presentation (5%) is required: FTWA presentations will be on 10/17 on zoom, AND 10/24 ON CAMPUS. Students are expected to attend both days of Class Presentations. 15-20 MINUTES will be allowed. ONLY an INDEX CARD can be used during the presentation (NO laptops, Phones, FTWAs).

The presentation should cover: 

1. Brief Overview of the Family Interview and Assessment describing the “Identified Patient” and the “Presenting Problem;”
2. Genogram & Ecomap Discussion: Describe the relationship of the IP and those closest to her/him and Describe the relationship of the IP and the social systems she/he is involved with;
3. Clinical Hypothesis;
4. Name of the Therapeutic Approach chosen and the Reason for choosing this approach;
5. Describe ONE intervention and SPECIFY it to the family;
6. Expected Outcome.

REMINDERS:

Students are required to put the paper through Turnitin® which is accessed within Weekly Materials #6 by 9 am on 10/17.  The FTWA paper will be graded in Turnitin. The Similarity Percentage must be below 20% otherwise a resubmission will be required. A late submission to TURNITIN will result in a loss of one point; no TURNITIN submission within one week of the due date will result in a loss of two points.  TURNITIN is available NOW.

Students are required to post a PPT copy of their genogram and a PPT copy of their ecomap (which will be referenced during their presentation) within the FTWA discussion board By 9 am on 10/12/17. A late submission to the FTWA DB will result in a loss of one point; no submission within one week of the due date will result in a loss of two points.

N779 FTWA GRADING RUBRIC

Fall 2022

Criteria	Novice	Competent	Proficient
Family Interview and Assessment: 20%:	Does not demonstrate the ability to maintain structure, focus, and direction of the interview process.	Demonstrates strong ability in creating and maintaining clear structure and productive focus over the course of the interview. process	Demonstrates the ability to maintain structure, focus, and direction of the interview process, proceeding through defined stages, and can conclude effectively.
Clinical Hypothesis: 5%:	Poorly conceived, lacking in all three areas, clarity, appropriate level, insight. Hypothesis missing or poorly defined.	Lacking in 1-2 areas, clarity, appropriate level, insight. Hypothesis incomplete.	Well-defined, bounded hypothesis. Clearly stated and well written. Demonstrates insight and understanding.
Therapeutic Approach: 25%:	Range of skills used was too narrow and/or skills incorrectly applied.	Demonstrates a strong ability to utilize a wide range of therapeutic skills effectively and appropriately.	Demonstrates the use of a range of therapeutic skills effectively and appropriately.
Genogram: 20%:	Genogram contains less than three generations of the family; family, birth and death dates are unclear, relationships are not clearly marked. Information regarding illness and behaviors not included.	Genogram contains three generations of the family; family birth and death dates, relationships are clearly marked, limited information regarding illnesses or health-related behaviors provided.	Genogram contains three generations of the family; family birth and death dates, relationships are clearly marked, illnesses are included, as well as health-related behaviors.
EcoMap: 10%:	Ecomap depicts family and a few interactions with other groups, no weights or arrows, no relationships.	Ecomap depicts family and interactions some weights and arrows, hazy relationships	Ecomap depicts fairly and many interactions, clear weights and arrows, evident relationships.
Class Presentation: 5%:  See below:
Professional Scholarly Presentation 15% Abstract (2 points)  Main body (7 points)  Formatting (2 points)  Grammar (2 points)  Professional writing (2 points):	Absent: Clear writing style, correct punctuation, necessary sources cited correctly, summary abstract, correct length of paper, references listed correctly, five recent peer reviewed journal articles, double spacing maintained throughout.	Partial: Clear writing style, correct punctuation, necessary sources cited correctly, summary abstract, correct length of paper, references listed correctly, five recent peer reviewed journal articles, double spacing maintained throughout.	Throughout paper: Clear writing style, correct punctuation, necessary sources cited correctly, summary abstract, correct length of paper, references listed correctly, five recent peer reviewed journal articles, double spacing maintained throughout.

FTWA Class Presentation Rubric
	Excellent	Very good	Satisfactory	Needs Improvement
	5 points	4 points	2-3 points	0-2 points
Quality of class presentation	Presentation demonstrated evidence-based practice; critical thinking regarding the case, current and well referenced supporting material.     Engages peers in discussion and answers questions well.	Presentation demonstrated some evidence-based practice; critical thinking about the case, some current and well referenced supporting material.     Somewhat engages peers in discussion and answers questions well.	Presentation weakly demonstrated evidence-based practice, critical thinking about the case, current and weakly referenced supporting material.   Weakly engages peers in discussion and answers questions.	Presentation did not demonstrate evidence-based practice; critical thinking about the case, current and referenced supporting material was not provided.     Does not engage peers in discussion and does not answer questions well.