Case Study Of Consciousness-Raising

The case of Stephanie brings an example of open defiance and resistance to change, typically observed in client’s ‘forced’ to into therapy. Though there is problematic behavior, the client is reluctant to see issues in self, but rather in the people or environment around them. The therapist must turn this outward view of the world around the client and encourage a reflective approach. Consciousness-Raising is based on the therapeutic process of making the unconscious conscious through a verbal therapy that raises the individual’s awareness (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982). As such, the therapist will share observations and ask questions of Stephanie to elicit consequences for her behavior. The fact that Stephanie is hiding that she sells marijuana
This is evident within this case study as Stephanie is seemingly unaware of the relationship of problematic consequences and her use of marijuana. Stephanie has admitted to selling marijuana to support her habit, legal ramifications for possession charges, and problematic behavior that almost got her expelled before graduation. The therapists approach must be empathetic to the client’s feelings in order to support self-resilient decision making and not attempt to convince the client of change, but rather discuss the possible consequences of changing or staying the same (Smedslund et al., 2011). The use of marijuana can be challenged as a root cause to an escalating series of problematic consequences, that interfered with school, family life, and led to legal problems. This problematic behavior has also increased risk taking as seen in dealing of narcotics, in which could result in much stronger legal consequences in the future. Stephanie has also expressed that her family has provided specific luxuries, such as a car, cell phone, and affordable housing, at which she cannot provide for herself while obtaining “lifestyle” choice. One perspective on how change happens is seen in external consequences as a large influence to encourage individual changes (SAMHSA, 1999). Though the evidence of existing consequences may encourage Stephanie to pursue a
This resistance does however, decrease as the client continues to navigate through the stages of change. Frielink & Embregts (2013) point out that the therapist should roll with resistance as they avoid arguing for change and invite the client to consider new information and perspectives. Stephanie is going to resist curving her marijuana use as her parent’s desire and will justify social and medicinal tolerance as seen in her desire to acquire medical marijuana card. Though her use of marijuana has created potentially high risk consequences as result of her indulgence, she may be reluctant to become absolutely abstinent of the drug. These past consequences will provide sinusoidal motivation into the pre-contemplation or contemplation stage of change as Stephanie considers the existence of a problem. According to Treasure & Maissi (2007), cognitive dissonance theory encourages the client to resolve their ambivalence about behavior change by raising awareness to dissonant beliefs, feelings, and behaviors in order to reduce psychological discomfort. Resistance may shift from the use of marijuana to arguments about college and even further a potentially long running resentment with Stephanie’s parents as a result of her brothers unresolved drug use. Though therapy should remain concentrated on Stephanie’s problems at hand, a secondary goal can be