CASE STUDY 1

Case Study

Renee Jenkins

Mt Saint Mary’s College

CASE STUDY 2

CLINICAL EVALUATION

Pete and Catherine are experiencing some dysfunction within their marriage. This

discord has caused both of them to come to the agreement that counseling is needed to address

areas of difficulty. The treatment modality that will be utilized to initiate this occurrence is

Couples Counseling. This type of psychotherapy will attempt to aid the individuals involved in

the committed relationship in the areas of; conflict resolve, improving decision-making, and

deciding whether the healthiest action includes rebuilding or separation. They currently present

an array of problems.

Pete states that he feels as if Catherine does not appreciate his contributions to the well-

being of the family. Catherine explains that within the past couple of years her emotional

connection with her husband declined to the point that has fueled the notion of divorce. During

the course of this expletory, both clients were able to identify areas of past connection.

Juxtapose to the above-mentioned feelings about each other’s behaviors, Catherine and

Pete were initially drawn to those exact actions at the onset of their relationship. For example,

Pete says that in the past he equated Catherine’s emotionality with love. In addition, Catherine

says that she once positively correlated Pete’s characteristics as strength. These identifications

and the fact that both have agreed to partake in the counseling process is a strong suit and will be

relevant to treatment planning because it displays that both are capable of being actively

involved in a development. That being said, in order to begin the therapeutic process, the

contents of their psychosocial history are explored.

CASE STUDY 3

It is of the utmost importance that the couple’s psychological development within the

context of their social environment be looked into. Such a formation is encompassing of

information that ensues the following; “greater awareness of the significance of personal and

cultural values, a more balanced appreciation of the interdependence of the interpersonal and

intrapsychic factors in couples relationships. As needed for a more honest assessment and

implementation of operational interventions” (Gurman & Frankel, 2002).

Pete and Catherine’s explanation of the marital history includes vital information in the

conceptualization and pinpointing of root causes of their dilemmas. Some noteworthy mentions

are; they have been married close to nine years, have children, and have a varied perspective

when it comes to divorce. Catherine is considering it as an option while Pete is not. Some

behaviors displayed by both ensue a reoccurring pattern within their dynamic. Currently

Catherine exhibits her emotions in a more tangible manner e.g., “yelling” and “slamming doors”.

Peter now perceives her actions as “smothering”. Pete, on the other hand, shows his emotions in

a more introverted manner e.g., “shutting down”. Catherine views his actions as “cold and

distant”. Delving further into their background certain occurrences during childhood can

correlate to these perceptual and idealistic thought formations and patterns.

Growing up, both of them vied for their parents love, acceptance and attention in varied

ways. When Pete was growing up his feelings were ignored by his parents. Opposite to this, he

received positive reinforcement from them when he exhibited what they perceived to be strength,

drive and confidence. Contradictory to those behaviors were the ways in which Catherine

related to her parents. In her early years she enhanced her external efforts in order to gain their

responsiveness. Many theoretical concepts can be applied to account for how these antecedents

that have led to the couple’s behavioral outcomes.

CASE STUDY 4

TREATMENT PLANNING

The one applied within this case is Imago Therapy. We are all the sum of our parts.

More descriptively, individuals are not only comprised of natural characteristics fused via

biology; but in addition are forged through their unique experiences. “Imago” describes this

contribution to the composition of self as “a composite picture of the people who influenced us

the most at an early age via the impressions left on the brain because of our interaction with

them” (Hendrix, 2008, p.38). This couple’s brains interpretation of such interactions has shaped

their desires and emotional and behavioral responses; creating what Imago Therapy terms the

“lost” and “disowned” self. Conceptually, Pete equates displays of feelings as danger while

Catherine, due to her unexpected arrival in the world and constant attention seeing as a child,

sees Pete’s “distance” as danger and is seeking the “missing part” of her in him. Pete’s disowned

self assumes the identity of independence (due to his parents placing negative reinforcement on

seeming “needy”) while Catherine’s assumes that of aggression or constant outward displays

(due to her parents negative reinforcement that without this type of display, needs would not be

met). Thusly this couples goals revolve around the healing of specific wounds.

As with all couples being treated under this guise, their goals are to release energy, love

in a selfless manner, cease operating within artificial structures, treat each other with love and

respect and use this new way of relating to discontinue stagnant operation that is continued by

living in the past (Hendrix, 2008, p. 249). Their individual plan entail the successful completion

of a host of exercises like; “Relationship Vision (to look into the potential of their union), Parent-

Child Dialogue” (to use knowledge of each other’s childhood occurrences to incur reciprocal

empathy) and specific interventions.

CASE STUDY 5

TREATMENT

Based on the needs of the clients I am referring them to complete the imago-based

interventions “Caring Behavior, High Energy Pleasurable Activities”, and “Positive Flooding”.

These mediations are in direct agreement with their goals. Participating in high-energy

pleasurable activities will allow them release energy in a positive manner. Exhibiting caring

behaviors will open the door for them to develop the ability to love selflessly and treat others

with love and respect. Lastly, positive flooding will be utilized as a gateway to the halting of

them operating in an artificial manner and discontinue functioning that is rooted in past

happenings. I, the therapist, play the important role of facilitator throughout these intercessions.

According to a recent study related to the impact this type of alliance has on the client(s),

“common factors such as empathy, warmth, and the therapeutic relationship have been shown to

correlate more highly with client outcome…. The common factors most frequently studied have

been the person-centered facilitative conditions” (Lambert & Barley, 2001). Other elements that

apply to the handling of this case are influenced by ethical obligations and the law.

ETHICS AND LAWS

Certain clarifications are indicated to the clients at the outset of treatment. They include

but are not limited to; conveyance of steps deemed reasonable to assist, ensuring that there is a

balance of attention placed on the needs of them both, inclusionary efforts by all parties involved

as to the development of the best course of action in regards to individual sessions, shared

information and constraints that are applicable to governing laws. In addition another

component that will be explored is the factor diversity plays in their lives.

CASE STUDY 6

HUMAN DIVERSITY

Consideration of Pete and Catherine’s individual and interdependent notions are vital to

their ability to participate for the purposes of reconciliation or constructive separation. The root

of one diversity within their relationship, Pete’s opinion that divorce is not an option and

Catherine being open to the possibility, calls for further inquiry about the influence ideals based

around religion, gender, or other values place on their actions. It also gives way for more

information in order to comprehensively assess clients’ baseline and treatment outcome.

RESEARCH COMPETENCE

Currently Catherine and Pete show varied baselines that may have a direct impact on the

outcome of the status of their marriage. Pete may have a difficult time changing his view in

regards to separation. Catherine may have a challenging time altering her opinion to be more

open to the notion of continuing the marriage. In addition Pete may find it problematic to

decrease avoidance and increase communication while Catherine may have a hard time

modifying certain attention seeking behaviors. That being said, the implementation of

interventions and exercises within the treatment plan are designed to promote strength in the

identified areas of limitations.

In summary, therapy is a process in which success is not defined in a concrete manner.

While it is the desire of the counselor, and most participants, for the client(s) to improve in all

areas of faintness, this almost always is not the outcome and people at times do return to past

behavioral states. However, with that, if all involved are able to put forth the highest level of

consciously based transformation efforts, all will come out happier and healthier in the end.

CASE STUDY 7

References

Gurman, A. S., & Fraenkel, P. (2002). The history of couple therapy: A millennial review.

Family Process, 41(2), 199-260.

Hendrix, H. (2008). Getting the love you want. New York, NY: Martin’s Press.

Lambert, M. J., & Barley, D. E. (2001). Research summary on the therapeutic relationship and

psychotherapy outcome. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 38(4),

357.