Complete a client summary using the templates provided to analyze existing client information. This will cover the following areas:

? Presenting issues: current issues the client is experiencing

? Predisposing factors: aspects of the client's background that make them susceptible to presenting with the given problems (e.g., history of mental illness in family)

? Precipitating factors: immediate issues or events that have caused the client to present with or experience these problems or symptoms now (e.g., recent life experiences/stressors, etc.)

? Perpetuating factors: factors that cause the client's symptoms/problems to continue or to progressively get worse e.g., conflict in home, low social support, poor coping strategies)

? Protective factors: factors that help improve the client's situation or symptoms

CLIENT - FRITZ

Intake information

Fritz is 42 years of age and has been in Australia for the past 25 years. He migrated from Germany with his immediate family, comprising of his mother, father and two sisters. At the age of 17 Fritz was filled with great dreams and aspirations for his new life in a new country and until recently had been quite happy with the life he had carved out for himself.

Fritz has sought counselling largely due to the persistence of his wife. Fritz does not really understand why his wife is so upset with him but states that she thinks he is going through a "mid-life crisis". Fritz is a Butcher by trade and runs a delicatessen. The business has been slow lately, and he is afraid that the large chain stores are finally going to ruin his business. Fritz has not discussed his financial concerns with his wife, or the disappointment felt at never being able to achieve his long-term dream of expanding and establishing other shops in the surrounding areas. Instead, he has decided to sell up and is thinking about moving away from the city.

Fritz states that when Anna found out that he had approached buyers for the shop she was furious and could not understand why he had not discussed it with her first, after all, it was her inheritance money that enabled Fritz to purchase the shop in the first place and besides, he had always consulted her in the past on important decisions.

Over the past few weeks, Fritz has been withdrawing more and more from the family hoping to avoid further conflict; he has busied himself finalising details with the sale of the shop (he is determined to go through with it despite his wife's resistance) and arranging alternative plans. He does not see that such avoidance behaviour is creating more conflict and asserts that "Anna will come round when she gets used to the idea". Anna has threatened Fritz with a divorce and states that she is not going to let him drag the boys out of school and away from friends and family.

Fritz has entertained the thought that perhaps life would be much simpler if he did go it alone, shake off all his responsibilities and do those things he has always wanted to. "It's not too late" he stated, "I'm still young enough to enjoy myself". However, Fritz knows that he still loves his wife, and a divorce would make him feel like an even bigger failure.

Background

Fritz has been married for 19 years and until recently has had a reasonably happy relationship with his wife Anna. "Of course, we have had the usual ups and downs like most couples", Fritz explains, "but overall things have been all right". Fritz finds it hard to describe what the discord is about and simply states that "Anna believes I am neglecting my family responsibilities and says that I appear distant and uninterested in her and the boys". Fritz refuses to discuss his childhood or his parents.

Fritz has two boys, Ric (13) and Hans (15). Fritz describes them as generally good boys who are developing their own interests and he feels that they don't need him as much any-more. He believes that they would prefer to hang out with their friends rather than their "old" dad anyway. Hans the oldest son has been getting himself into a bit of mischief lately, not attending school some days, causing disruption when he does attend, and he has also been caught shoplifting on a few occasions. Fritz dismisses this behaviour as "kids' stuff" and thinks that his wife is overreacting. He simply states that "Hans will grow out of it".

Client Assessment Client #1 Name: Presenting issue(s) Predisposing factors Precipitating factors Perpetuating factors Protective factors