Clinical Case Report
Part 2: Case Description and Conceptualization
Part 2 of the clinical case report assignment should be in APA style (title page,
references, etc. but does not require an abstract). This part of the case report will likely
be 6-7 pages, without references. It should include:
(1) The case, with provisional diagnoses (already completed for the paper proposal but
likely modified based on my feedback and any other client information you find helpful in
conceptualization below). See above for guidelines about an effective case. (around 2
pages)
(2) A case conceptualization, to include risk and maintenance factors in the client's
diagnosis(es): (around 4-5 pages)
(2a) Should include a range of etiological factors, based on class readings and
discussions (i.e., cognitive model, memory, emotion, neurobiology,
social/contextual factors),
(2b) These etiological factors should be tied specifically to the case description
(that is, don't speak only generally of risk factors, but how this manifests for the
particular client). In some places (e.g., neurobiology), you may need to use some
conjecture, based on the literature. That is OK. However, your case should
include sufficient detail to be able to relate several risk factors to the
conceptualization.
(2c) Should include discussion of risk factors for, AND maintenance of, PTSD
and/or related symptoms
(2d) Should be integrative, as all risk and maintenance factors intersect (e.g.,
environment affects biology, social context influences both; don't just list
etiological factors)
(2e) Should consider culture and intersectionality of client.
(2f) Should include references to literature (in APA style). NOTE: Please avoid
excessive use of quoted text, instead summarizing/paraphrasing when possible.
Quoted text should be limited to points in which you think the initial wording is
absolutely necessary to convey the author's point, and, in many papers, does not
need to be used at all.
Grading Rubric for Clinical Case Report Part 2: Case Description and
Conceptualization (75 points)
____/22 Case description. Student provides detail on client's background, traumatic
experience(s), symptoms and presenting problems, impairment/distress, and within this
description, sufficient detail to support the case conceptualization.
____/35 Case conceptualization. Student describes risk AND maintenance factors
in the client's diagnosis(es), including a range of etiological factors (i.e., cognitive
model, memory, emotion, neurobiology, social/contextual factors and culture and
identity). These factors are tied specifically to the case description, when possible
and are integrative (i.e., intersections among etiological factors are discussed).
____/9 Incorporation of empirical research. Empirical research and course materials
are incorporated effectively to advance arguments and are cited appropriately in-text.
____/9 Grammar, style, mechanics. Paper is in APA style, includes references, is
proofread, and contains proper grammar, flow, transitions, and headings as appropriate.