Second Case Vignette
Diagnostic Impressions
The client is a 25 year old male who has been participating in therapy to address concerns of PTSD symptoms that arose from an event that occurred 6 years prior to therapy. The client recently returned to the area to live with his parents following an intensive inpatient treatment program for drug and alcohol abuse. The client has returned to college to complete his education and pursue a career in the medical field. The client had progressed well in individual therapy regarding the PTSD symptoms for the first 6 sessions and appeared to be progressing in his studies.
At session 7, the client disclosed that he has become “obsessed” with a woman who is presently getting divorced. The client stated …show more content…
The emotional and physical safely of the client needs to be assessed. Substance abuse or substance dependence can cause developmental delays which can diminish a person’s capacity to deal with stressors and may lead to interpersonal challenges (M. DenBoer, personal communication, August 15, 2014). It is important to determine if the client has remained sober or if he has used alcohol or drugs since being discharged from the in-treatment facility. Additionally, more information about the client’s relationship needs to be obtained in order to identify what the client meant when he claimed to be “obsessed” and “in love” with a woman he had not been previously mentioned in therapy. Due to the intensity of the client’s emotions, it would also be prudent to perform a risk assessment for physical or emotional harm that may be present for either individual. For example, it would be important to identify if he is stalking her or exhibiting unsafe behaviors toward her or her child. It is also important to assess if the client has any suicidal ideation or plans for self harm and if the client has access to
Diagnostic Impressions
The client is a 25 year old male who has been participating in therapy to address concerns of PTSD symptoms that arose from an event that occurred 6 years prior to therapy. The client recently returned to the area to live with his parents following an intensive inpatient treatment program for drug and alcohol abuse. The client has returned to college to complete his education and pursue a career in the medical field. The client had progressed well in individual therapy regarding the PTSD symptoms for the first 6 sessions and appeared to be progressing in his studies.
At session 7, the client disclosed that he has become “obsessed” with a woman who is presently getting divorced. The client stated …show more content…
The emotional and physical safely of the client needs to be assessed. Substance abuse or substance dependence can cause developmental delays which can diminish a person’s capacity to deal with stressors and may lead to interpersonal challenges (M. DenBoer, personal communication, August 15, 2014). It is important to determine if the client has remained sober or if he has used alcohol or drugs since being discharged from the in-treatment facility. Additionally, more information about the client’s relationship needs to be obtained in order to identify what the client meant when he claimed to be “obsessed” and “in love” with a woman he had not been previously mentioned in therapy. Due to the intensity of the client’s emotions, it would also be prudent to perform a risk assessment for physical or emotional harm that may be present for either individual. For example, it would be important to identify if he is stalking her or exhibiting unsafe behaviors toward her or her child. It is also important to assess if the client has any suicidal ideation or plans for self harm and if the client has access to