Theories of Counseling

Case Study I

Tina is a 17-year-old high school junior who resides with her parents and 14-year-old brother. Tina’s mother is concerned about her daughter’s recent 22-pound weight loss. Tina counts calories and exercises each morning and evening. Despite her weight loss and low-average size, Tina says that she is “fat”, and she weighs herself several times a day. Tina has always felt close to her family, especially to her mother. She is an excellent student, active in cheerleading and works a part-time job. Tina’s mom tells her that she looks too thin, but Tina still believes she needs to lose more weight. Tina quickly is offended and reacts defensively. When Tina’s father encourages her to eat more, she argues with him during dinner. Tina’s brother teams up with Dad, sometimes calling Tina names. On several occasions, Tina has left the table and locked herself in her bedroom. Tina’s parents are unsure if she is showing some ordinary teenage rebellion or if she is developing an eating disorder. Until now, Tina has never given them any problems.

Case Study II

Robert is a 45-year-old married man with two adult children. He has been employed as a metallurgical engineer in a local steel mill for 20 years. Robert married his high school sweetheart. He describes their relationship as “typical.” They eat meals and attend family gatherings together but do little else as a couple. Robert spends his spare time reading, playing golf and watching TV. For the last two months, Robert has felt blue and his appetite has decreased. Because he has not been sleeping well, Robert drinks more at night. Sometimes he feels like life is hardly worth living. Robert has tried to “snap himself” out of this sour mood but nothing seems to work.

Case Study III

Martha is a 52-year-old divorced woman with three grown children. Her oldest child, Heather, is married with a good career and is expecting her first baby. Martha’s middle child, Scott, is single. He has a teaching degree and a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Carter is Martha’s youngest child. He lives at home and commutes to a local university where he is a senior. Martha works as a legal secretary and lives on a tight budget. She is considering returning to college, and maybe even dating, now that her children are older. But Martha is afraid to make a decision that she may regret. In fact, when Martha makes plans to return to school or to join an online dating site, she feels so anxious that she sometimes experiences panic attacks. Martha can’t decide if she should let her life remain status quo or if she should work through her fears holding out hope for a more fulfilling life. Martha asked her family doctor for something for anxiety, but he suggested that she call a counselor.