Alice is a 16-year-old single female who is 3 months pregnant. She seeks your advice concerning her preg- nancy. She lives with her parents and her 15-year-old sister. Alice has not told her parents about the preg- nancy and is concerned that they will find out before long. Her family has little money, and she is concerned about paying for the pregnancy and birth. Her parents do not have medical insurance. Alice has come to your agency because she is depressed and feels at the "end of her rope." She is looking for help. When you meet with her, she sobs throughout the interview and at times seems to whine. Alice's father, Arnold, who is 34 years old, is a part- time truck driver. Alice states that he has rigid views and tends to be rather "authoritarian." She thinks that he will "lose it" if he learns she is pregnant and will want to "take care of the situation" to make it go away. Although he has not abused her in the past 2 years, Alice says that when she was younger, he would often "take a belt to me." At times, he drinks too much, and there seem to be conflicts between him and his wife. He was married at age 18. Alice states that her mother "cares a lot about me;" however, Alice also notes that her mother would never go against her father's wishes. Alice's mother, Linda, is 35 years old, works part-time at a fast-food restaurant, and is very concerned about her daughter's well-being. Because her parents were married when her mother was pregnant with Alice, Alice thinks that her mother will probably understand her situation. Joan is Alice's 15-year-old sister. Alice states that Joan is a good student but at times acts like a "wise- ass." She feels as if Joan has always received all the attention in the family; now that Alice is pregnant, she is concerned that she will be even more of an outcast. Alice notes that Joan has many friends and is often out of the house, doing things rather than staying home with her "drunk dad" and her mom.
1. Which helping skills would you need to use to work effectively with Alice?
2. How would you diagnose Alice's problems?
3. Which needs does Alice have?
4. Which goals would you help Alice set for herself?