The document outlines the importance of understanding group typology for effective intervention in clinical social work, specifically focusing on the case of Paula Cortez, who is facing multiple crises including pregnancy and non-compliance with medications. It emphasizes the need to select the appropriate type of group intervention, either task or treatment group, and discusses various factors that affect group dynamics and patient outcomes. Furthermore, it highlights an interdisciplinary team meeting aimed at developing a comprehensive care plan for Paula's complex needs.

1. As a clinical social worker it is important to understand group
typology in order to choose the appropriate group method for a
specific population or problem. Each type of group has its own
approach and purpose. Two of the more frequently used types of
groups are task groups and intervention groups.
For this Assignment, review the “Cortez Multimedia” case
study, and identify a target behavior or issue that needs to be
ameliorated, decreased, or increased. In a 2- to 4-page report,
complete the following:
Choose either a treatment group or task group as your
intervention for Paula Cortez.
Identify the model of treatment group (i.e., support, education,
teams, or treatment conferences).
Using the typologies described in the Toseland & Rivas (2017)
piece, describe the characteristics of your group. For instance,
if you choose a treatment group that is a support group, what
would be the purpose, leadership, focus, bond, composition, and
communication?
Include the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of
group as an intervention.
REQUIRED resource for assignment

2. A Meeting of an Interdisciplinary Team
Paula has just been involuntarily hospitalized and placed on the
psychiatric unit, for a minimum of 72 hours, for observation.
Paula was deemed a suicidal risk after an assessment was
completed by the social worker. The social worker observed that
Paula appeared to be rapidly decompensating, potentially
placing herself and her pregnancy at risk.
Paula just recently announced to the social worker that she is
pregnant. She has been unsure whether she wanted to continue
the pregnancy or terminate. Paula also told the social worker
she is fearful of the father of the baby, and she is convinced he
will try to hurt her. He has started to harass, stalk, and threaten
her at all hours of the day. Paula began to exhibit increased
paranoia and reported she started smoking again to calm her
nerves. She also stated she stopped taking her psychiatric
medications and has been skipping some of her
HIV
medications.
The following is an interdisciplinary team meeting being held in
a conference room at the hospital. Several members of Paula’s
team (HIV doctor, psychiatrist, social worker, and OB nurse)
have gathered to discuss the precipitating factors to this
hospitalization. The intent is to craft a plan of action to address
Paula's noncompliance with her medications, increased
paranoia, and the pregnancy.
Click one the above images to begin the conversation.

3. Physician
Dialogue 1
Paula is a complicated patient, and she presents with a
complicated situation. She is HIV positive, has Hepatitis C, and
multiple foot ulcers that can be debilitating at times. Paula has
always been inconsistent with her HIV meds—no matter how
often I explain the need for consistent compliance in order to
maintain her health. Paula has exhibited a lack of insight into
her medical conditions and the need to follow instructions.
Frankly, I was astonished and frustrated when she stopped her
wound care treatments and started to use chamomile tea on her
foot ulcers. Even though we have educated her to the negative
consequences of stopping her meds, and trying alternative
medications instead, she continues to do so.
Psychiatrist
Dialogue 1
As Paula’s psychiatrist for close to 10 years, I have followed
her progress in and out of the hospital for quite a while—and I
know her very well. She is often non-compliant with her
medications, randomly stopping them after she reports she
doesn’t like the way they make her feel. She has been
hospitalized to stabilize her medications several times over the
last 10 years, although she has managed to stay out of the
psychiatric unit for the last three. Recently, she had seemed to
appreciate the benefits of taking her medications and her
compliance has much improved. She had been seeing her social
worker regularly, and her overall mental health and physical

4. health were improving. This has changed recently, after several
stressful life events. We learned that Paula was pregnant by a
man she met briefly at a local flower shop. She also reports he
has been harassing her with threatening phone calls and
unwarranted visits to her home. Paula disclosed to the social
worker that she was neither eating nor taking her medication—
and she had not gotten out of bed for days. Her decompensation
was rapid and extremely worrisome and, therefore, called for a
72-hour hold.
OB Nurse
Dialogue 1
I have not known the patient long, but it does appear that she is
trying her best to deal with a very difficult situation.
Pregnancies are stressful times for even the healthiest of
women. For Paula to learn she is pregnant at 43—in addition to
her HIV and Hepatitis status and her bipolar diagnosis—must be
so overwhelming. Adding to this, she has come to her two
appointments alone and stated she has no one to bring along
with her. When I inquired about the father of the child, she said
he’s a bad man and he won’t leave her alone. She seemed truly
frightened of him and appears convinced he will hurt her.
Social Worker
Dialogue 1
When Paula came to me and told me she was pregnant, I was
indeed shocked by this announcement. She had never mentioned
dating anyone, and with her multiple medical and psychiatric

5. issues, I never thought this would be an issue we would address.
Paula and I have developed a strong working relationship over
the last two years, and she has shared many private emotions
and thoughts. This relationship has been tested, though, since I
suggested she be admitted to the hospital. Paula was furious
with me, accusing me of locking her up and not helping her. It
will take time to repair our working relationship. Once I rebuild
that rapport, we will need to work together to find a way to
address all of her concerns. We will need a plan that will
address her medical needs, her psychiatric needs, and the needs
of her unborn child.
I HAVE ATTACHED THE BOOK FOR YOUR REFERENCE
AS WE HAVE TO CITE THE TYPOLIGIES FROM THIS
SPECIFIC BOOK
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017).
An introduction to group work practice
(8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Chapter 1, “Introduction” (pp. 1–42)
Chapter 2, “Historical and Theoretical Developments” (pp. 45–
66)
Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. (2017). An introduction to
group work practice (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

6. Chapter 11, “Task Groups: Foundation Methods” (pp. 336-363)
Chapter 12, “Task Groups: Specialized Methods” (pp. 364–395)