Examining the Potential Impact of a Family Session in Therapeutic Assessment: A Single-Case Experiment

Abstract

Most clinicians concede the benefits of conceptualizing children in systemic terms. Yet, many child assessments involve parents only on a limited basis. The Therapeutic Assessment model for children and families (TA–C) emphasizes parental involvement and family-driven collaboration throughout the intervention. Child TA has shown promise as an effective brief intervention (e.g., Smith, Handler, & Nash, 2010; Tharinger et al., 2009). Family intervention sessions (Finn, 2007; Tharinger, Finn, Austin, et al., 2008) are an integral component of the child TA model in facilitating familial changes. However, TA–C research has yet to empirically examine the potential impact of a family session on treatment trajectory. This case study includes an extended presentation of the development and execution of a family session. The authors use a daily measures time-series experiment to empirically examine the clinical effectiveness of the TA–C and the hypothesis that the family session was a tipping point in the trajectory of improvement.

Notes

Names have been changed and other measures have been taken to protect confidentiality. Additionally, Scott and David provided consent to publish this case study with measures taken to protect the family's identity. Consent and assent to treatment were also garnered prior to the onset of the TA–C.