Post an assessment of the trauma the adolescent has experienced and how that may impact their development. Bearing in mind that environmental concerns have been addressed, utilize your advanced-level skills to identify a modality that is appropriate for the developmental stage. Finally, describe some assumptions and pitfalls of the modality as it relates to the population. 

REQUIRED READINGS
Brandell, J. R. (Ed.). (2020). Theory & practice in clinical social work (3rd ed.). Cognella.
Chapter 7, “Clinical Social Work With Adolescents and Young Adults” (pp. 123–146)
Levenson, J. (2020). Translating trauma-informed principles into social work practice Social Work, 65(3), 288–298. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swaa020
Lougheed, J. P. (2020). Parent–adolescent dyads as temporal interpersonal emotion systems Journal of Research on Adolescence, 30(1), 26–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12526
American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Online assessment measures https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/…
Walden University, LLC. (2022). Social work case studies [Interactive media]. Walden University Canvas. https://waldenu.instructure.com
1
Brady
Brady is a 14-year-old Caucasian male referred to a community social worker for an
evaluation. Brady’s father, Steve, reported that his son is irritable, impulsive, and often
in trouble at school; has difficulty concentrating on work (both at home and in school);
and uses foul language. He also informed the social worker that his wife, Diane, passed
away 3 years ago, although he denied any relationship between Brady’s behavior and
the death of his mother.
Initial Evaluation
In the initial evaluation session, Brady presented as immature and exhibited belowaverage intelligence and emotional functioning. He reported feelings of low self-esteem,
fear of his father, and no desire to attend school. Steve presented as emotionally
deregulated and also emotionally immature. He appeared very nervous and guarded in
the sessions with Brady. He verbalized frustration with Brady and feeling overwhelmed
trying to parent and take care of his son’s needs.
The social worker suggested that Brady be tested for learning and emotional disabilities.
Steve was provided with a referral to a psychiatrist and was encouraged to have Brady
evaluated by the child study team at his school. Steve unequivocally told the social
worker that he would not follow up with these referrals, saying, “There is nothing wrong
with him. He just doesn’t listen, and he is disrespectful.”
Session 1
After the initial evaluation, the social worker met individually with Brady and completed a
genogram and asked him to discuss each member of his family. He described his father
as angry and mean and reported feeling afraid of him. When the social worker inquired
what he was afraid of, Brady did not go into detail, simply saying, “getting in trouble.”
Session 2
In the next follow-up session with both Steve and Brady present, Steve immediately
reported an incident Brady had at school. Steve was clearly frustrated and angry and
began to call Brady hurtful names. The social worker asked Steve about his behavior
and the words used toward Brady. Brady interjected and told his dad that being called
these names made him feel afraid of him and further caused him to feel bad about
himself. Steve then began to discuss the effects of his wife’s death on him and Brady
and verbalized feelings of hopelessness. The social worker suggested that Steve follow
up with the previous recommendations and, further, that he strongly consider meeting
with a social worker to address his own feelings of grief. Steve agreed to take the
referral for the psychiatrist and said he would follow up with the school about an
evaluation for Brady, but he denied that he needed treatment.
© 2022 Walden University, LLC. Adapted from Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social
work case studies: Foundation year. Laureate International Universities Publishing.
2
Session 3
In the third session, the social worker met individually with Brady, who said, “I want to
tell you what happens sometimes when I get in trouble.” Brady reported that there had
been physical altercations between him and his father, including one instance in which
Steve had twisted Brady’s arm, requiring a hospital visit. The prior night, the two had
gotten into a verbal argument that resulted in his father punching the wall. Brady
disclosed that his father had become “meaner after Mom died” and that he was often
fearful of him.
© 2022 Walden University, LLC. Adapted from Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social
work case studies: Foundation year. Laureate International Universities Publishing.