A psychology case study is an in-depth analysis of a single human being. As a rule, this is used in cases with clinical patients or in situations when lab research is impossible to do. In case with undergraduate courses, psychology case study is based on a real person, some character from a movie, TV show or a book, an imagined individual.
The specific psychology case study format can vary greatly. For example, in some cases your study will be 100% concentrated on the individual of interest. Some other possible requirements involve background info on a topic and proper citing relevant research. Make sure to keep in touch with your project tutor for more details on the project. As a rule, the following format is used to create psychology case study.
1. Client’s Background
The first part of psychology case study will include your client’s background. Make sure to provide such factors as gender, age, health status, work, history on family mental health, social and family relationships, alcohol and drug history, life goals and difficulties, coping skills, etc.
2. Problem or Symptoms Description
In this section of your project you’re required to present the client’s symptoms or problem description. Provide detailed description of any emotional, physical or sensory symptoms your client has shared with you. Feelings, thoughts and perceptions that are related to the symptoms are also to be noted. Every diagnostic or screening assessment that is used must be also illustrated in detail.
3. Present Your Diagnosis
Share your diagnosis with your reader and then provide an explanation on how you have reached it, how the symptoms of the client fit the diagnostic criteria for the disorder.
The #2 section of a psychology case study should be concentrated on the intervention used to help your client. Your project tutor may ask you to sum up 3 or more possible approaches in treatment process or require you to select from a particular theoretical approach.
1. Psychoanalytic Case Approach
Provide a description on how a psychoanalytic therapist would study the problem of your client. Give some background on the approach mentioned in the title and provide citation of the relevant references. In addition, you need to give details on how psychoanalytic therapy would be applied in order to treat the client, how the client would respond to psychoanalytic therapy and how effective this approach is.
2. Cognitive-Behavioural Approach
Provide information on how a cognitive-behavioural approach expert would cope with the treatment. Give background info on therapy of cognitive-behavioural nature and provide client response, descriptions for the treatment sessions and outcome of this treatment type. Make sure to take notes of every success or difficulty encountered by the client in the process of treatment.
3. Humanistic Approach
Provide detailed description of a humanistic approach that could be applied in the process of your client’s treatment. Make certain to give enough details on the treatment type you’ve given preference to, client’s reaction to it and the final results of humanistic approach. Tell your reader why the treatment method was (un)successful.
