General Issues in Psychotherapy
Sample Case Studies
NOTE: All of the cases described below are entirely fictional. None of the names or other identifying information refer to an actual psychotherapy client. The primary purpose of these fictional cases is to challenge students to enhance student learning regarding concepts presented in the textbook. Some are rather straightforward clinical cases, whereas others incorporate unique challenges to the clinical psychologist.
Sample Case #1
(primarily regarding Chapter 11—General Issues in Psychotherapy, and Chapter 4—Cultural Issues in Clinical Psychology)
Zev is a 45-year-old man seeking therapy from Dr. Miller, a clinical psychologist. Zev is an Orthodox Jew. For many years, Zev has felt compelled to perform very specific, stereotyped rituals dozens of times each day. For example, any time Zev eats, he must tap his fork on the side of his plate five times before he takes a bite. As another example, when he gets undressed each evening, Zev must place his shoes exactly one inch apart other and precisely parallel to the wall near his bed. Zev feels that by doing such behaviors, he is preventing terrible things from happening. If he is prevented from doing these behaviors, he experiences extremely high levels of anxiety. In recent months, Zev has developed more of these ritualistic, anxiety-driven behaviors, and his behaviors have become more severe as well. His family has tried to be patient, but on numerous occasions his behaviors have gotten in the way of their lives, such as the time that he felt compelled to insert the key into the lock of their home “just right,” which required dozens of attempts and a delay of about 10 minutes while his family waited in the rain.
Dr. Miller has diagnosed Zev with obsessive compulsive disorder and he intends to use the most evidence-based treatment available.
Student Thought Questions: • Do you agree with Dr. Miller’s diagnosis? • According to the textbook (especially Chapter
NOTE: All of the cases described below are entirely fictional. None of the names or other identifying information refer to an actual psychotherapy client. The primary purpose of these fictional cases is to challenge students to enhance student learning regarding concepts presented in the textbook. Some are rather straightforward clinical cases, whereas others incorporate unique challenges to the clinical psychologist.
Sample Case #1
(primarily regarding Chapter 11—General Issues in Psychotherapy, and Chapter 4—Cultural Issues in Clinical Psychology)
Zev is a 45-year-old man seeking therapy from Dr. Miller, a clinical psychologist. Zev is an Orthodox Jew. For many years, Zev has felt compelled to perform very specific, stereotyped rituals dozens of times each day. For example, any time Zev eats, he must tap his fork on the side of his plate five times before he takes a bite. As another example, when he gets undressed each evening, Zev must place his shoes exactly one inch apart other and precisely parallel to the wall near his bed. Zev feels that by doing such behaviors, he is preventing terrible things from happening. If he is prevented from doing these behaviors, he experiences extremely high levels of anxiety. In recent months, Zev has developed more of these ritualistic, anxiety-driven behaviors, and his behaviors have become more severe as well. His family has tried to be patient, but on numerous occasions his behaviors have gotten in the way of their lives, such as the time that he felt compelled to insert the key into the lock of their home “just right,” which required dozens of attempts and a delay of about 10 minutes while his family waited in the rain.
Dr. Miller has diagnosed Zev with obsessive compulsive disorder and he intends to use the most evidence-based treatment available.
Student Thought Questions: • Do you agree with Dr. Miller’s diagnosis? • According to the textbook (especially Chapter