Biopsychosocial Assessments: Part I By: Kaity Stone, LMSW, MA Program Manager Women and Children’s Program Presbyterian Night Shelter KStone@pns-tc.org Open with a case example

Case Example Ms. Smith is a 35 year old Hispanic female. She was picked up by the Fort Worth police for loitering and dropped off at a local shelter. She was found by herself, panhandling for money on the side of the road. Her only possession is a small backpack. She has no children with her. Allow for audience to read case example. Ask audience: Where do you start? Open floor for discussion on where you would start with this client. Does client need a translator? Transition into the need for biopsychosocial assessments.

Biopsychosocial Assessments Part I: Why? The Need The Use Good vs. Poor Assessments The Person and the Social Environment Part II: How? Techniques Theories Use of Self Using the Tier II

The Need Basis for the social worker’s interaction with the client (Hepworth, et al., 2006) Form picture of the client and their difficulties Identify needs Determine immediate needs vs. long term needs Provide appropriate referrals and resources Set goals Give examples, use Ms. Smith

The Use Gather information about many different systems Past and present biological, psychological, and cognitive functioning Determine if agency and individual worker is best fit for client and their needs Eligible for program admission

The Social Worker Most basic function is to “link clients with essential resources and services (Hepworth, et al., 2006)” Awareness of the “use of self” Worker has an impact on how the client behaves Be careful not to make premature judgment about client (Goldstein, 1999)

Good vs. Poor Assessments A Good Assessment Should… Help the social worker form an opinion about how best to help the client (Lesser & Pope, 2007) Meeting the client where they are at Dangers of Poor Assessment Overlooking relevant information Misdirected service and referrals Potentially harmful to client What is the client’s perceived need? Social worker’s option about client’s need? Difference between client’s perceived need

Identifying Level of Need: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1943) Physiological Needs: food, water, air, and sleep. Security Needs: shelter, employment, safe environment Social Needs: friendship, family relationships, involvement in the community Esteem Needs: self-esteem, personal worth, social recognition Self-actualizing Needs: personal growth, desire to fulfill self-potential General systems theory: individual, family, employee, member of society,

Areas Addressed in a Biopsychosocial Assessment Broken down into two sections (Goldstein, 1999): The Person The Social Environment Use guide selectively Form a comprehensive evaluation Ask for examples of each section

The Person Genetic predispositions Physical health Substance use Coping mechanisms Developmental stages Gender and sexual orientation Ethnic and cultural background Sense of meaning

The Social Environment Physical surroundings Family Social Network Cultural context

Biopsychosocial Assessment: Review The Need The Use The Social Worker Good vs. Poor Assessments Levels of Need The Person and the Social Environment

Case Example Ms. Smith is a 35 year old Hispanic female. She was picked up by the Fort Worth police for loitering and dropped off at a local shelter. She was found by herself, panhandling for money on the side of the road. The only thing in her possession is a small backpack. She has no children with her. Allow for audience to read case example. Ask audience: Where do you start? Open floor for discussion on where you would start with this client. Does client need a translator? Transition into the need for biopsychosocial assessments.

Next Time: How to conduct a Biopsychosocial Assessment Techniques, styles, and examples Theories Use of self Completing the Tier II Continue to discuss Ms. Smith

References Goldstein, E.G. (1999). Short-term treatment and social work practice: An integrative practice. New York: The Free Press. Hepworth, D.H., et al. (2006). Direct social work practice: Theories and skills. (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education. Lesser, J. G, & Pope, D.S. (2007). Human behavior and the social environment: Theory and practice. Boston: Pearson.