Intake Form Critique : Intake

Social workers must strive “for a full understanding of the complex interactions between the client and all levels of the social and physical system as well as meaning that the client assigns to each of these interactions” (Andreae, 1996, p. 605).

A typical day for a social worker consists of helping those that are in need, providing appropriate resources, and empowering their clients. Before a social worker can help their clients, they will need to do an assessment. An assessment consists of learning about the individual and their everyday lives. According to Timberlake, Zajicek-Farber, and Sabatino (2008), “The client system and the social worker conduct an assessment of problems, needs, strengths, and resources; establish priorities and goals; and reach agreement about the preintervention date-collection activities necessary to provide a baseline for evaluating change” (p. 79). It is important for the social worker to collect all this information because it will provide insight on

Contact between an addictions counsellor and a client is usually initiated by the client referring him/her self, an outside agency refers them, family physician or the addictions counsellor initiates contact through outreach or other agencies. Assessment can be seen as the beginning of treatment and it becomes an opportunity to encourage the client to begin to move towards change. The initial assessment involves a mutual investigation and exploration between the client

This particular mental health intake form contains seven pages of questions concerning the client’s current mental health status and past mental health status, as well as addresses medical history and social environment. The form appears to completely cover the client’s medical and mental health history, as well as gathers pertinent information about the client’s family history. However, there seems to be a lack of questions regarding the client’s environment. For example, there are no questions concerning the client’s living situation.

In social work practice, client assessments are important because they allow social workers to gather information from clients. This information helps the acting social worker better understand clients presenting problems. The assessment also helps social workers evaluate a client’s progress and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions used. In this paper, a multidimensional assessment will be performed on a client I have been working with at my internship placement, Urban Ministries of Durham. Once all relevant information is presented, and intervention and treatment plan will be discussed.

This adult intake form asks “What has led you to seek help at this time?” followed by four questions regarding past success, supports, strengths, and challenges (p. 1). I appreciate that this is an open-ended question as it will allow for the client to fill in whatever issues he/she has identified in his/her life. This question also allows the client to give multiple answers if he/she has several concerning factors to address.

I currently work at an SMI clinic for TERROS and I selected an intake form off of the internet instead of the intake for my work because our intake is a template that generates into a document once signed by all appropriate parties. I must say this random mental health intake form I found is extremely similar. I think these forms are now somewhat standardized and having just recently started filling out assessments of this nature and doing service plans with behavioral health recipients. I must confess it is difficult to get all of these answers out of clients and to keep their attention long enough to complete this paperwork. I feel often times we must resort to generic answers that do not give us a full understanding f who these people are and what their needs are, but it is a good resource to have a basic understanding of a client and when sharing information with other people on the clinical team good note taking skills and complete forms makes communication and client service much more efficient.

When working with a new client, it is important to have as much information as you can obtain to help determine what services may or may not be needed. The multidimensional approach can assess all areas of a person’s life. This helps the social worker not just look at a single facet, but the entire person as a whole. People are not one dimensional hence their treatment shouldn’t be one dimensional. In many instances, treating the presenting problem will only put a Band-Aid on the situation. As social workers, we should look at the underlining cause of the problem in order to give the best treatment available.

The role of the social worker in this setting is to perform duties as an informed clinician based on evidence based practice to provide individualized case management to all clients. The social worker will complete a comprehensive intake assessment which includes demographics of the client, address presenting problem, and a risk assessment. Client’s also receive mental health screenings and individual and group counseling to gain new coping skills and address any triggers to prevent relapse utilizing interventions as CBT and Motivational Interviewing. The social worker will discuss limits of confidentiality and a signed informed consent from the client to receive services.

Victor is a 52 year-old who has been residing with his niece, April for about a month. He was living with other family members and then he moved in with friends. While living with friends he lost 40 lbs and earned a charge on his criminal record. During a recent doctor visit his blood pressure and cholesterol were high therefore the doctor prescribed him medication and gave an appointment for blood work and follow up however he refuses to go.

In June 2014, I registered with the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board for certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, and began private supervision. I passed the state examination the following year. Through discussions with my colleagues and professional supervisor, as well as interactions with university professors, I developed a desire to provide advanced counseling through social work practice. I believe social work provides the best means to provide healing for the whole person in their environment.

In order for SASOYP to reach these goal and objectives, the program will employ one intake specialist to conduct biopsychosocial assessments, collect pertinent documentation to the program, and assist the outreach coordinators recruit youths into the program. Intake specialist will also be responsible for HMIS data collection and other administrative duties assigned by the Salvation Army executive management team. Two case managers/outreach coordinators will responsible for their assigned caseloads – up to 30 clients each, create individualized for each client, coordinate referrals, and link clients to community resources. Both case managers/outreach coordinators and intake specialist will be training volunteers/interns about the program and how to properly adhere to the SASOYP’s policies and building expectations.

To be successful in working with the target population there are attitudes a social worker needs to acquire. First, one needs to believe and act in a manner that supports the value of dignity and worth of the person (Morgaine, 2015, p.52). This important because addiction can be very shameful and in order for a client to be successful at recovery they need to feel like their social worker sees that they still have worth and dignity. Second, one needs to treat their clients as an expert. The literature says “Referring to a client as an expert by experience encourages us to acknowledge the unique knowledge base rooted in an individual’s experience with our services” (Morgaine, 2015, p. 138). By doing this the client is able to feel like he/she

The two key elements in successful practice are the social workers ability to guide clients through the phases of the change process and assist clients in making decisions that will result in enhancement of their social functioning or the improvement of a social condition (Bradford W. Sheafor, 2008, p. 52). Social workers select and use specific techniques that have been individualized to the needs and situation of the client or client group being served, and the resources that are applied to help resolve the client’s problem or concern (Bradford W. Sheafor, 2008, p. 51).

Social workers who work in the area of substance abuse concentrates on specific clients that have an addiction problem and those who are abusing different drug substances. Social workers who are working and dealing with cases of substance abuse can help clients on their journey to rehabilitation by being supportive, offering encouragement, and making the path to restoration a slightly easier. Social workers in this field use their knowledge and abilities to comprehend the needs of the client in relation to their substance abuse problems. The social worker measures the client to understand the severity of the substance abuse in order to know how to deal with the client. Social workers experienced in substance misuse and addiction often work as part of a team with other specialists, particularly licensed alcohol and drug therapists, doctors, and nurses.