Object Relations Case Summary

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Object Relations Case Study of Richard: A Conceptualization and Treatment Plan Bea A. Goodstudent Liberty University
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AAbstract
Begin a new page. Your abstract page should already include the page header as shown above. An abstract is a succinct summary of a longer piece of work, usually academic in nature, which is published in isolation from the main text and should therefore stand on its own and be understandable without reference to the longer piece. It should report the latter 's essential facts, and should not exaggerate or contain material that is not there. Its purpose is to act as a reference tool (for example in a library abstracting service), enabling the reader
Given Richard’s lack of significant nurturing relationships in his life, issues of trust were particularly difficult with him. This was addressed, in an empathic way, early on in the relationship – I told him that I recognized and understood that it would likely be difficult for him to trust me, the therapist, but that as he felt comfortable it was important for him to gain some trust so that the therapy may work. I also encouraged him to communicate to me how he felt regarding being or not being able to trust me, even if it felt uncomfortable for him to talk about trust issues. Initially Richard was very guarded, tended to make jokes or become hostile with me when the counseling came close to painful issues for him. In some of these instances I pointed out his behavior and asked him what he might have been feeling about himself and about me (immediacy of the relationship) just before he said the remark. Sometimes, instead of asking, I reflected to him feelings of discomfort or anger that I picked up in relation to the issues we were discussing. Sometimes, I shared with him (immediacy of the relationship) how his jokes and/or angry remarks made me feel in the relationship with him (e.g. “when you respond in that way – make a joke about something serious we are talking about or respond angrily at me – makes me feel like you are pushing me away”). And, using parallel process, other times I wondered out loud to what extent others in his
It is thought that Richard will experience the connection between his early experiences of abandonment and his current difficulties as he allows himself to experience and accept the pain of his lost childhood, and the anger he felt toward his parents for the constant fighting in the house and for not loving and caring for him. During these times it would be important for the therapist to assured Richard that regardless of the parents’ problems, their behavior had been wrong and that as a child he deserved better. This would serve as a corrective emotional experience. It is believed that Richard would eventually be able to understand that his anger was justified and that another person, the therapist, was able to accept him with his anger whereas in the past he interpreted his feelings of anger as further proof of his badness and feared that if the parents knew of this anger they would further reject