Ama Osei is a 9 year old female with lots of energy. She is a child who likes to please adults, which makes her obedient. Ama lives with her mother, father, two sisters, one brother, aunt and uncle, and grandfather. Ama is the youngest of her siblings and has always been the most sensitive. Of all of her siblings, she is the most petite. Her siblings have a habit of teasing Ama about her size, and this anger’s Ama. Ama cries very easily if she is riduculed by anyone, including her parents, families, teachers, etc.
Ama’s mother, Dofi Osei, is a seamtress and her father, Kwadwo Osei, is a waiter at a hotel. When the parents are away on the weekends working, Ama’s siblings take care to look after her on behalf of their parents. Ama’s siblings are good caretakers of Ama.
Ama’s family is a close knit family and has always been that way. Her mother’s side of the family gets along extremely well with her father’s side of the family. In fact, they get together for relatives birthdays, holidays, and festivals. For a small family gathering, it is common for 50 people to attend and for large family gatherings, more than 100 can come from near and far.
Although Ama is normally a joyous and outgoing child, recently, Ama has become more insulated, withdrawn, and quiet. After Ama’s best friend Haniah died from malaria, Ama has not been the same. The girls use to run and laugh and play long into the evening. In Ama’s mind – one day Haniah was there and the next she was gone. No one has told Ama why Haniah is no longer around, so Ama thinks it is her fault that Haniah is no longer able to play with her. Ama has lost her appetite and stopped eating. Now, it is common to find Ama playing outside of her home alone, while her siblings play together and with other children in the neighborhood.
Ama’s family believes in the christian faith, they go to church on Sundays, but other than that, do not belong to other church activities, like the choir or bible study. Even when the Osei family goes to church, Ama is quiet. While her siblings are chatting and playing with their friends, Ama sits closely and quietly next to her parents.
Ama’s complete medical history is unknown because Ama has never been to the dentist and has only been to a medical clinic a few times over the years for minor issues. Recently though, Ama has been complaining about a stomache. In fact, everyday for the last two weeks, Ama said her stomach hurts. Her parents have been treating the stomachache with natural remedies. Because Ama does not look like she’s sick, her parents said she does not need a doctor.

1. Problem Definition.


2. Religious/Spiritual/Cultural Influences.


3. Client/Family/Community Strengths.


4. Medical History and Current Medical Status.


5. Client Psychological/Psychiatric history.


6. Family Medical/Mental Health History.


7. Significant Family Transitions (birth, death, divorce, marriage, employment, relocation, foster care).