2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
