Another example:

Judy's foster mother and father were at the dinner table talking after Judy and their daughter had eaten and left the kitchen. "I'm worried about Judy," her foster mother said as Mr. Butler poured her another cup of coffee. He sat, waiting for her to continue. "It is hard to put my finger on it. She just seems to have lost interest in her friends and the things she had seemed to enjoy. I guess I don't know if she has any friends anymore. She talks on the phone sometimes but I don't think she does much with anyone. She just stays in her room and does things she can do by herself. She seemed to be adjusting well. I don't know what happened. I really am concerned."

Mr. Butler thought about what his wife had said and then said, "I know what you mean. It may be even more of a problem than you are saying. I know Terry asked her to go to the mall and she said she was too busy. All she did was watch television. I don't know if you have noticed it or not but the last few times someone has called her, she has made some excuse not to talk with them. Have you said anything to her about what you are feeling?"

Mrs. Butler did not know what to say. She finally said, "I've tried to talk to her. She says everything is fine and I am making too much of a deal out of it. She brushes it off and will not talk about what she is thinking and feeling. She just shuts me out. She acts like she does not have a care in the world. I don't know. I am worried."

                                                             Brief Treatment Plan

For the example, complete this Brief Treatment Plan. What signs of trouble did you notice in the child in the example? Write the sign in the left column and your action (what you would say and do to help) in the right hand column beside the sign.

Sign:                                                                 Your action:

1.

2.