Group Work Case Study: Group Therapy

Case Study Christopher is a seven-year-old child from Mobile, Alabama. He was born full- term and natural birth to his mother, Karen and her boyfriend, Stephen. When Christopher was two years old, Karen was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and passed away shortly after Christopher’s fourth birthday. Since Karen was the primary caregiver, and a stay at home mom, Christopher was extremely close to her. Stephen noticed the great remorse and took Christopher to multiple psychiatrists. Christopher was diagnosed with depression at age five and began taking a variety of trial medications that make his life uncomfortable and hazy. Christopher’s nearest extended family is in Washington, so he lived with Stephen until he was six. Christopher was taken away from Stephen by child services when he attended daycare with bruises …show more content…
The amount of counselors in the area is astounding. Christopher will get the care he needs from the various therapeutic outlets such as horseback riding and art therapy. Christopher will also get medical help for his burns and visit a speech pathologist to get him back on track developmentally. Huntsville, however, is lacking in group therapy where Christopher will be able to interact with other children his own age who also have similar interests and common ground. Something I would have liked to have seen is some kind of one on one mother and son, as well as father and son group work. I would like to see team building exercise to increase their bond and help facilitate attachment relationships. Another thing I would like to have seen is some sensory integration therapy. Although Christopher does not seem to be sensory sensitive, it is important to get his sensory needs met. By learning techniques such as a squeezing a stress ball or laying under a weighted blanket, Christopher can better self-regulate and the transition into a forever home will be more enjoyable instead of