Feminist Theory
Feminist Theory
n 1 to 2 sentences, identify and describe the problem to be worked on in your chosen case study.
In 1 to 2 sentences, explain how feminist theory you are utilizing denes and explains the cause of the
problem.
In 1 to 2 sentences, use feminist theory to describe the role of the social worker to facilitate change in
the case study.
In the assessment phase, identify 2 assessment questions you will ask to explore what the client’s
goals are and how they will get there.
Remember, feminist theory should be driving the assessment.
Describe two interventions to address the problem and explain how the clients will implement the
interventions.
Remember, feminist theory should be driving the interventions.
In 2 to 3 sentences, discuss how you would evaluate if one of the interventions you identied is
eective with the client.
Explain how, specically, you will set the tone throughout your work with the client to reduce the
hierarchical relationship and make it more collaborative.
Evaluate one strength and one limitation of feminist theory in working with the client.
Paula Cortez
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Identifying Data: Paula Cortez is a 43-year-old Catholic Hispanic female residing in New York City, NY.
Paula was born in Colombia. When she was 17 years old, Paula left Colombia and moved to New York
where she met David, who later became her husband. Paula and David have one son, Miguel, 20 years
old. They divorced after 5 years of marriage. Paula has a ve-year-old daughter, Maria, from a dierent
relationship.
Presenting Problem: Paula has multiple medical issues, and there is concern about whether she will be
able to continue to care for her youngest child, Maria. Paula has been overwhelmed, especially since she
again stopped taking her medication. Paula is also concerned about the wellness of Maria.
Family Dynamics: Paula comes from a moderately well-to-do family. Paula reports suering physical and
emotional abuse at the hands of both her parents, eventually eeing to New York to get away from the
abuse. Paula comes from an authoritarian family where her role was to be “seen and not heard.” Paula
states that she did not feel valued by any of her family members and reports never receiving the
attention she needed. As a teenager, she realized she felt “not good enough” in her family system, which
led to her leaving for New York and looking for “someone to love me.” Her parents still reside in Colombia
with Paula’s two siblings.
Paula met David when she sought to purchase drugs. They married when Paula was 18 years old. The
couple divorced after 5 years of marriage. Paula raised Miguel, mostly by herself, until he was 8 years old,
at which time she was forced to relinquish custody due to her medical condition. Paula maintains a
relationship with her son, Miguel, and her ex-husband, David. Miguel takes part in caring for his halfsister, Maria.
Paula does believe her job as a mother is to take care of Maria but is nding that more and more
challenging with her physical illnesses.
Employment History: Paula worked for a clothing designer, but she realized that her true passion was
painting. She has a collection of more than 100 drawings and paintings, many of which track the course of
her personal and emotional journey. Paula held a fulltime job for a number of years before her health
prevented her from working. She is now unemployed and receives Supplemental Security Disability
Insurance (SSD) and Medicaid. Miguel does his best to help his mom but only works part time at a local
supermarket delivering groceries.
Paula currently uses federal and state services. Paula successfully applied for WIC, the federal
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Given Paula’s low income, health, and
Medicaid status, Paula is able to receive in-home childcare Helpance through New York’s public
Helpance program.
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Social History: Paula is bilingual, uent in both Spanish and English. Although Paula identies as Catholic,
she does not consider religion to be a big part of her life. Paula lives with her daughter in an apartment in
Queens, NY. Paula is socially isolated as she has limited contact with her family in Colombia and lacks a
peer network of any kind in her neighborhood.
Five (5) years ago Paula met a man (Jesus) at a ower shop. They spoke several times. He would visit her
at her apartment to have sex. Since they had an active sex life, Paula thought he was a “stand-up guy” and
really liked him. She believed he would take care of her. Soon everything changed. Paula began to suspect
that he was using drugs, because he had started to become controlling and demanding. He showed up at
her apartment at all times of the night demanding to be let in. He called her relentlessly, and when she
did not pick up the phone, he left her mean and threatening messages. Paula was fearful for her safety
and thought her past behavior with drugs and sex brought on bad relationships with men and that she
did not deserve better. After a couple of months, Paula realized she was pregnant. Jesus stated he did not
want anything to do with the “kid” and stopped coming over, but he continued to contact and threaten
Paula by phone. Paula has no contact with Jesus at this point in time due to a restraining order.
Mental Health History: Paula was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She experiences periods of mania
lasting for a couple of weeks then goes into a depressive state for months when not properly medicated.
Paula has a tendency toward paranoia. Paula has a history of not complying with her psychiatric
medication treatment because she does not like the way it makes her feel. She often discontinues it
without telling her psychiatrist. Paula has had multiple psychiatric hospitalizations but has remained out
of the hospital for the past 5 years. Paula accepts her bipolar diagnosis but demonstrates limited insight
into the relationship between her symptoms and her medication.
Paula reports that when she was pregnant, she was fearful for her safety due to the baby’s father’s anger
about the pregnancy. Jesus’ relentless phone calls and voicemails rattled Paula. She believed she had
nowhere to turn. At that time, she became scared, slept poorly, and her paranoia increased signicantly.
After completing a suicide assessment 5 years ago, it was noted that Paula was decompensating quickly
and was at risk of harming herself and/or her baby. Paula was involuntarily admitted to the psychiatric
unit of the hospital. Paula remained on the unit for 2 weeks.
Educational History: Paula completed high school in Colombia. Paula had hoped to attend the Fashion
Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, but getting divorced, then raising Miguel on her own
interfered with her plans. Miguel attends college full time in New York City.
Medical History: Paula was diagnosed as HIV positive 15 years ago. Paula acquired AIDS three years later
when she was diagnosed with a severe brain infection and a Tcell count of less than 200. Paula’s brain
infection left her completely paralyzed on the right side. She lost function in her right arm and hand as
well as the ability to walk. After a long stay in an acute care hospital in New York City, Paula was
transferred to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) where she thought she would die. After being in the skilled
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nursing facility for more than a year, Paula regained the ability to walk, although she does so with a
severe limp. She also regained some function in her right arm. Her right hand (her dominant hand)
remains semi-paralyzed and limp. Over the course of several years, Paula taught herself to paint with her
left hand and was able to return to her beloved art.
Paula began treatment for her HIV/AIDS with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Since she ran
away from the family home, married and divorced a drug user, then was in an abusive relationship, Paula
thought she deserved what she got in life. She responded well to HAART and her HIV/AIDS was well
controlled. In addition to her HIV/AIDS disease, Paula is diagnosed with Hepatitis C (Hep C). While this
condition was controlled, it has reached a point where Paula’s doctor is recommending she begin a new
treatment. Paula also has signicant circulatory problems, which cause her severe pain in her lower
extremities. She uses prescribed narcotic pain medication to control her symptoms. Paula’s circulatory
problems have also led to chronic ulcers on her feet that will not heal. Treatment for her foot ulcers
demands frequent visits to a wound care clinic. Paula’s pain paired with the foot ulcers make it dicult for
her to ambulate and leave her home. Paula has a tendency not to comply with her medical treatment.
She often disregards instructions from her doctors and resorts to holistic treatments like treating her
ulcers with chamomile tea. When she stops her treatment, she deteriorates quickly. Maria was born HIV
negative and received the appropriate HAART treatment after birth. She spent a week in the neonatal
intensive care unit as she had to detox from the eects of the pain medication Paula took throughout her
pregnancy.
Legal History: Previously, Paula used the AIDS Law Project, a not-for-prot organi nization that helps
individuals with HIV address legal issues, such as those related to the child’s father . At that time, Paula
led a police report in response to Jesus’ escalating threats and successfully got a restraining order. Once
the order was served, the phone calls and visits stopped, and Paula regained a temporary sense of
control over her life. Paula completed the appropriate permanency planning paperwork with the
Helpance of the organization The Family Center. She named Miguel as her daughter’s guardian should
something happen to her.
Alcohol and Drug Use History: Paula became an intravenous drug user (IVDU), using cocaine and heroin,
at age 17. David was one of Paula’s “drug buddies” and suppliers. Paula continued to use drugs in the
United States for several years; however, she stopped when she got pregnant with Miguel. David
continued to use drugs, which led to the failure of their marriage.
Strengths: Paula has shown her resilience over the years. She has artistic skills and has found a way to
utilize them. Paula has the foresight to seek social services to help her and her children survive. Paula has
no legal involvement. She has the ability to bounce back from her many physical and health challenges to
continue to care for her child and maintain her household.
David Cortez: father, 46 years old
Paula Cortez: mother, 43 years old
Miguel Cortez: son, 20 years old
Jesus (unknown):
Maria’s father, 44 years old
Maria Cortez: daughter, 5 years old
