Psychosocial Analysis of 'Good Will Hunting'
Psychosocial Assessment of Good Will Hunting
December 06, 2011
Identifying Information
Will Hunting is a 20 year-old Caucasian male of Irish decent. He turned 21 before the time he was terminated from therapy. He was always casually dressed in slacks, or jeans and t-shirt or short sleeves shirt like most youths or teenagers. Although he had few clothes as evidenced by the fact that he wore the same two or three outfits to all his therapy sessions, his clothes were always clean.
Referral Source
He was referred to therapy by the juvenile court system.
Presenting Problem
Will Hunting had anger issues and was very oppositional to authority figures. He also had abandonment issues. He was arrested for fighting and beating up another young man who he went to elementary school with. At his court appearance, he was mandated to attend therapy twice a week by the judge and also required to report to Professor Lambeau once a week.
History of the Problem
Will Hunting had a history of assault, grand theft, resisting arrest, mayhem, impersonating an officer and physical abuse by one of his foster father since adolescence. He was arrested for assault two times in 1993, and more than twice in 1995. He also had anger problems.
Previous Counseling Experience
Will Hunting was mandated to attend therapy by the juvenile court system. He saw five therapists with whom he failed to connect, prior to seeing Sean Maguire. He terminated himself from some of his previous therapy sessions. Two of his therapists walked out on him. Will accused his first therapist of being gay and sabotaged his second therapy by pretending to be hypnotized.
Family Background
Will Hunting is an orphan. He lived in several foster homes as a child. Will was physically abused by one of his foster fathers. There was no mention of his biological family. He was institutionalized for most of his childhood years. He spoke of his three close friends as being his family.
Personal History
Will Hunting
December 06, 2011
Identifying Information
Will Hunting is a 20 year-old Caucasian male of Irish decent. He turned 21 before the time he was terminated from therapy. He was always casually dressed in slacks, or jeans and t-shirt or short sleeves shirt like most youths or teenagers. Although he had few clothes as evidenced by the fact that he wore the same two or three outfits to all his therapy sessions, his clothes were always clean.
Referral Source
He was referred to therapy by the juvenile court system.
Presenting Problem
Will Hunting had anger issues and was very oppositional to authority figures. He also had abandonment issues. He was arrested for fighting and beating up another young man who he went to elementary school with. At his court appearance, he was mandated to attend therapy twice a week by the judge and also required to report to Professor Lambeau once a week.
History of the Problem
Will Hunting had a history of assault, grand theft, resisting arrest, mayhem, impersonating an officer and physical abuse by one of his foster father since adolescence. He was arrested for assault two times in 1993, and more than twice in 1995. He also had anger problems.
Previous Counseling Experience
Will Hunting was mandated to attend therapy by the juvenile court system. He saw five therapists with whom he failed to connect, prior to seeing Sean Maguire. He terminated himself from some of his previous therapy sessions. Two of his therapists walked out on him. Will accused his first therapist of being gay and sabotaged his second therapy by pretending to be hypnotized.
Family Background
Will Hunting is an orphan. He lived in several foster homes as a child. Will was physically abused by one of his foster fathers. There was no mention of his biological family. He was institutionalized for most of his childhood years. He spoke of his three close friends as being his family.
Personal History
Will Hunting
References: American Psychiatric Association, (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental health disorders (Revised 4th ed.) Washington, DC, Author Hepworth, D. et al., (2010). Direct Social Work Practice. Theory and Skills (8th ed.) United States. Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.