Meredith Case Study Meredith is a 24-year-old female who comes to the community counseling office where you work as a newly hired mental health counselor. On her intake form, she provided the following information, which is based on her answers to the questions on this form. Birthdate: 1/22/1980 Home: Whiting, MA Race: Caucasian Current job: Assistant to the activities director at a nursing home Parents: Married, both living, Leek, MA Father: Works full-time as a business manager Mother: Works part-time as an office clerk Parents’ histories: Father - heavy use of alcohol, two heart attacks; mother - use of prescription opiates for back pain. Siblings: Meghan, 22, who is employed full-time in the publishing industry in New York City; Molly, 20, engaged to be married, still in college; Sarah, 18 (Meredith reported during her first session that this sister is “acting weird, washing her hair constantly, scared to go outside, almost seems afraid of everyone and thinks everyone is talking about her - she refuses to go to high school”), and Brian,12, who lives at home. Medical history: Migraines? [she writes a question mark after migraines], menstrual problems [she writes in “serious cramps”] Mental health history of patient: None Substance use history of patient: First use of alcohol during first year of college; drinks during celebrations and weekend parties, uses alcohol to help with sleep. Medications: None, “but I think I need sleep medication” [client’s words] Sexual History: [client left questions related to sexual activity blank] Extended family information: Uncles on Father’s side are two “alcoholics?” [she writes the question mark after the term alcoholics]; father’s sister was hospitalized for a mental disorder for two years; “maternal grandmother - early death, question of alcohol use." What prompted you to make this appointment? Meredith writes: “can’t sleep, eat, and my work is suffering because I can’t think…. I am stressed out…feeling out of control.” 1. Based on what the clinician has learned during the intake, what are some of the symptoms a clinician should look for, or ask about when working with this client during the initial sessions? Explain each symptom. 2. What other historical information might a counselor want to ask about? 3. What might a clinician want to know about Meredith’s alcohol use and why? 4. What might a clinician want to know about her eating, sleeping, and stress, and why? 5. What conditions would the clinician want to explore when working with this client? Explain why. 6. If Meredith reported that her friends have said that she is “crazy, talking too fast, hyperactive, and unable to pay attention,” what diagnoses would you also explore? Could Meredith be suffering from a substance-induced disorder? Explain. 7. How would the clinician determine if Meredith was experiencing a co-occurring disorder or a single diagnosis? 8. Meredith explains in a future appointment that she is in ...

1. Meredith Case Study
Meredith is a 24-year-old female who comes to the community
counseling office where you work as a newly hired mental
health counselor. On her intake form, she provided the
following information, which is based on her answers to the
questions on this form.
Birthdate: 1/22/1980
Home: Whiting, MA
Race: Caucasian
Current job: Assistant to the activities director at a nursing
home
Parents: Married, both living, Leek, MA
Father: Works full-time as a business manager
Mother: Works part-time as an office clerk
Parents’ histories: Father - heavy use of alcohol, two heart
attacks; mother - use of prescription opiates for back pain.
Siblings: Meghan, 22, who is employed full-time in the
publishing industry in New York City; Molly, 20, engaged to be
married, still in college; Sarah, 18 (Meredith reported during
her first session that this sister is “acting weird, washing her
hair constantly, scared to go outside, almost seems afraid of
everyone and thinks everyone is talking about her - she refuses
to go to high school”), and Brian,12, who lives at home.
Medical history: Migraines? [she writes a question mark after
migraines], menstrual problems [she writes in “serious cramps”]
Mental health history of patient: None
Substance use history of patient: First use of alcohol during
first year of college; drinks during celebrations and weekend
parties, uses alcohol to help with sleep. Medications: None,

2. “but I think I need sleep medication” [client’s words]
Sexual History: [client left questions related to sexual activity
blank]
Extended family information: Uncles on Father’s side are two
“alcoholics?” [she writes the question mark after the term
alcoholics]; father’s sister was hospitalized for a mental
disorder for two years; “maternal grandmother - early death,
question of alcohol use."
What prompted you to make this appointment? Meredith writes:
“can’t sleep, eat, and my work is suffering because I can’t
think…. I am stressed out…feeling out of control.”
1. Based on what the clinician has learned during the intake,
what are some of the symptoms a clinician should look for, or
ask about when working with this client during the initial
sessions? Explain each symptom.
2. What other historical information might a counselor want to
ask about?
3. What might a clinician want to know about Meredith’s
alcohol use and why?
4. What might a clinician want to know about her eating,
sleeping, and stress, and why?

3. 5. What conditions would the clinician want to explore when
working with this client? Explain why.
6. If Meredith reported that her friends have said that she is
“crazy, talking too fast, hyperactive, and unable to pay
attention,” what diagnoses would you also explore? Could
Meredith be suffering from a substance-induced disorder?
Explain.
7. How would the clinician determine if Meredith was
experiencing a co-occurring disorder or a single diagnosis?
8. Meredith explains in a future appointment that she is in love
with Andy, but is scared that her parents will not like this
person. She states that she feels stressed out about someone
finding out how much she loves this person. It is noticeable that
Meredith is not using pronouns. What other issues might a
counselor want to explore? How does this interact with the
diagnosis, or does it?

4. 9. What are the treatment strategies that you might employ with
Meredith? Why?
© 2014. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
© 2014. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
EXCELLENCE SYSTEM – REQUIRED ASSESSMENT
ARTIFACT - MANDATORY
HSAD302 – Research Project – 200 points
For this assignment, students will compose an APA-formatted
informative paper, a minimum of 7 pages, on the topic of a
federal regulation that has an ethical as well as legal impact on
healthcare delivery. The topic should include associated
financial costs to a healthcare facility. Summary of the
regulation available in classroom materials is presented to
students but student is to submit a typed report of their own
interpretation. The appropriate regulation shall include: 1)
summary of the regulation as to why it is important and areas of
ethical as well as legal impact within the healthcare setting; 2)
implementation for compliance with the regulation and
oversight by the organization; 3) other pertinent information
from an ethical standpoint.
The student is expected to present the information to the class
as well as to submit a typed report.
Research Project Grading Rubric (200 Points)
Requirement
Excellent (mastery) 50-40 points
Good (reinforcement) 39-30 points
Fair
(Introduced)
29-0 points
Score
Analysis
Writing reflects sophisticated understanding of ethical theories,

5. legal concepts and main ideas of course materials
Writing reflects basic understanding of ethical theories, legal
concepts and main ideas of course materials
Writing does not reflect understanding of ethical theories, legal
concepts and main ideas of course materials
/40
Scope and Comprehension
A full range of legal and ethical topics are covered well and in
depth. Counter arguments and limitations of perspectives are
acknowledged
An acceptable range of legal and ethical topics are covered and
in fair depth. Counter arguments and limitations of perspectives
may be acknowledged
A full range of legal and ethical topics are not covered. Counter
arguments and limitations of perspectives are not acknowledged
/40
Clarity of Writing and Presentation Technique
Writing and presentation are clear and succinct. An active voice
supports ideas and examples. No spelling, grammar, or
punctuation errors
Writing and presentation are generally clear but unnecessary
words are occasionally used. Repetitive paragraph or sentence
structure. Spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors exist
Hard to understand, writing is convoluted. Misspelled words,
incorrect grammar, and improper punctuation
/40
Creativity
Student demonstrates original and innovative thinking,
communicating insight and perceptiveness in making legal and
ethical connections
Student demonstrates some original or innovative thinking,
communicating some insight and perceptiveness in making legal
and ethical connections
Student does not demonstrate original or innovative thinking,
not communicating an insight or perceptiveness in making the
legal and ethical connection

6. /40
References and APA formatting
Accurate and complete APA
Few APA format errors evident
APA format not followed
/40