Different psychotherapy perspective and theory
1. Choose a psychotherapy perspective/theory that we have discussed in class. Using the theory you chose, make a brief case conceptualization on the case I provide based on this theory. Be sure to include this theory`s terminology and how this perspective would explain the problems, issues, struggles, or pathology within the case.
2. Next, describe how the theory you chose would frame or conceptualize the needs of the client within the case example and how, generally, this theory would map out an approach for treatment.
3. Then, choose a second and different psychotherapy perspective/theory and repeat steps 1 and 2 using the second chosen theory.
4. Compare and contrast the two perspectives you`ve chosen in how they conceptualize the case example. Where is there overlap? Are there aspects of the case example that you believe one of the theories addresses better than the other? Why? How, if at all, can you see a way of integrating the two approaches you chose for the treatment for the case example provided?
The case example is ( Alex is a 30-year-old, Hispanic male. Alex is married with two children and is a financial consultant. He grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. Alex had a very difficult upbringing; he never knew his father, his mother worked two jobs, and she passed away when Alex was eight years old from a drug overdose. Alex moved in with his older cousin, who committed suicide while Alex was living with him. Since late childhood, Alex has worried about nearly everything (loved one`s well-being, financial security, safety, planning the week, planning of mundane daily activities, etc.). He grew up with no sense of stability, certainty or anything he felt he could count on. Alex has always been unable to control the things he worries about.
After Alex`s mother died, Alex moved to Brooklyn, NY with his cousin. Alex lived there with him until Alex was 17 years-old, at which time, Alex`s cousin committed suicide. Alex received a full scholarship to NYU just prior to his cousin`s passing; and with no real family left to speak of, Alex was left on his own. Once in college, Alex developed a successful life for himself; he met his wife at NYU, he got an internship with Goldman Sachs, which turned into his career, and he started a family. A few months prior to Alex seeking treatment, his employer gave Alex a very stressful assignment with a fellow coworker. While the two worked on the project together, Alex cheated on his wife with this coworker, a decision he deeply regrets. As a consequence, his wife is thinking of divorcing Alex. Ever since Alex received that stressful task at work, and cheated on his wife, his daily worrying has become worse. Alex has come to seek therapy so he can control his worrying and save his marriage.
Initial assessment with Alex revealed the following: Alex used the phrase "the other shoe is going to drop" often when describing his anxiety as well as "the world isn`t safe;" Alex`s regret for his infidelity seems mixed because while he expressed regret, he also stated "nothing lasts forever, anyway;" Alex`s body language and presentation are very closed or distant as indicated by his short answers, folded arms, lack of eye contact, and tangential statements; Alex was very hesitant to talk about his past trauma, often stating "that`s in the past and doesn`t affect me now;" Alex expressed some anger and bitterness when talking about his infidelity as well, stating "I want to be faithful and steady, but the world doesn`t always work that way back." )