Psychodyanamic Case Conceptualization Intake the Client Is Essay

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Psychodyanamic Case Conceptualization

Intake

The client is a 55-year-old European-American male named Gary, who is divorced from the only woman he had romantic involvement with 20 years ago. Gary raised three children when his wife left after 16 years of marriage. Gary's life is stable and predictable and due to very little changes in his life, the threat of change makes Gary anxious enough to contemplate suicide. Gary has lived on family property all of his life that the family has held since the 1800s and he has worked at the same job for 35 years, driven the same car of 20 years. His home is dusty and neglected and the house has not been properly cleaned in years. As well, the client does not eat properly and avoids addressing the issues in his life that result in the client caring little for his own needs.

Themes/Clients Presenting Problems

Gary's complaints include low levels of energy and lethargy and he does not sleep but four hours at a time and is experiencing tension in his jaw as well as frequent headaches. The client is very focused on a lean subsistence because he does not know any other way for himself being the youngest of six children.
The client does not expose himself to porn, violence, abusive speech and he does not do drugs. The client does not appear able to be assertive or aggressive and is polite and passive in his encounters with others.

III. Statement of Likely Defense Mechanisms

Gary is attempting to preserve the 'status quo' in his life by ensuring that nothing in his life changes, including the dust and dirt in his home. It appears that when his wife left him that time stood still for Gary and that he was unable to move forward both literally and symbolically. Gary is highly fearful of any type of change.

Cognitive behavioral therapy would serve well in treating Gary's issues through gaining his acknowledgement of what he is doing and how these actions or inaction is serving to stall his life out and keep him rooted in the past. The client is likely to present in therapy with issues about his own self-worth and he is not likely to openly address any issues he may have with the treatment regimen.

The client is likely to watch the clock during his sessions because he will be attempting to avoid using more….....

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