Nina Robinson is a 26 year old Caucasian female who has been referred for treatment by Child Protective Services (CPS) following the removal of her children due to methamphetamine and marijuana use. Nina gave birth to her youngest child approximately two weeks ago, however following the birth, Nina and the baby tested positive for methamphetamine and THC. Nina’s infant was immediately placed into custody, and her oldest daughter was removed 7 days ago following another positive drug screen.
Nina is single parent, who resides with her current boyfriend (BF) of one year. Her eldest child is from a previous relationship. Nina reports having a “normal” childhood, reporting both of her parents were “caring and loving”. Nina left home at age 18 when she began attending college. Nina left college late in her junior year, where she was majoring in Accounting. According to Nina, she had a solid 3.2 GPA.
After leaving college, Nina moved in with a (BF) who is the father of her eldest daughter. Nina admitted her BF was “abusive” and “controlling.” Nina began stripping at a local club, and has had this job for the last four years. She left this job when she began to show with her second child. Nina would like to return to the strip club, but has been told by CPS that she needs to get “a different job.” Nina is concerned because she was making what she describes as “good money” and worries without a college education she will not make “decent” money.
Nina reports that she “never wanted to be a mother” and admits to having several abortions prior to her first child. According to Nina, she found out “too late” with her eldest daughter and was unable to terminate the pregnancy. Nina’s current BF, who is ten years her senior, wanted a child of his own “really bad” so she agreed to have another child. Nina states she “hasn’t minded” her daughter because she is “smart and pretty self-efficient.”
Nina claims she stopped using drugs when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter, but “never stopped” using while carrying her second child. When asked about how she felt about being pregnant and using, Nina replied “I didn’t ever think about it.” Nina added that her BF often used with her, and that using was “all I really cared about.”
Nina presented with a flat affect (showed no emotion), and was calm while being interviewed. She reports that she “sleeps fine” and has “no problems” with her appetite or concentration. Nina denied any thoughts of harming herself or others (past or present). Nina admitted that she would like to lose some weight, although physically it does not appear that Nina gave birth only two weeks ago.
Although cooperative in answering all questions, Nina did not elaborate on any area without probing from this interviewer. Nina did admit that she never wanted to be a mother, and showed no emotion when discussing the incident which led to the removal of her children. Nina’s goal is to “have this whole thing behind me” and “get back to normal.”
Instructions for the paper:
The above case is typical of what a helping professional may encounter on any given day. Although you have some background information regarding this case, you clearly need to gather more. There may be many things you may want to consider, and this is of course fine, but I am requiring that minimally you cover the items listed below:
• Explain what further information you would want to gather from this client, and why you think that information would be necessary or helpful in providing treatment.
• Where do you see yourself going with this client?
o Any referrals?
o Do you need releases? If so, to whom?
o What do you think needs to be addressed first?
o What would some treatment goals for this client be?
o What type of treatment would be best?
• What you think the obstacles and strengths are in working with this client?
• What about the outcome?
o Do you think this client would be successful in treatment?
Why or why not?
• What would you like to see the client achieve by the end of treatment (or discharge goals)
