Name:

Carol Crane (F, 45 years)

Presenting Issues:

When Carol called to make her appointment, she stated that she had a "little problem" and needed some help. Following a brief intake history, Carol revealed that she had just gotten her second DUI and has been court-ordered to participate in counseling. She explained that both times she was "barely buzzed" and the police "just wanted to make an example of (her)." Carol did also admit that sometimes she likes to have a "drink or two" but denied that she has a drinking problem. After more discussion, Carol revealed that she has not been sleeping well and rarely leaves the house unless she is going to a bar. Carol has not had a romantic relationship in her life that has lasted more than a month. Carol rationalized her personal life with "Who needs men anyway?" and changed the subject. She also shared that she hates her job and misses her children (neither are living at home at this time).

In the course of conversation, Carol launched into a tangent about dreams she had in her youth and how she had really wanted to be a writer. She shared that she'd been in an honors literature program in college; she'd had to drop out at age 19 when she became pregnant. She also shared that she'd struggled her entire life to better herself and make a life for her kids, but now wonders where it got her. She wistfully asked, "Is this all there is?" during the session; she wondered aloud if she will spend the next 45 years in the same existence.

Cultural Profile:

Carol is Caucasian and of European ethnic descent; she is agnostic.

Family History:

Carol currently lives alone. Her son, Hunter (M, 25 years), has moved out of the area due to a job, and daughter, Olivia (F, 22 years), is away at college. Carol raised her children by herself with no help from the children's father (who was out of their lives more than 20 years ago). When the children were young, Carol worked two jobs to make ends meet, while also going to school to earn advanced degrees. She has expressed many regrets over her life choices, and seems resistant to the idea that she was simply doing the best she could at the time. Carol has some extended family, but none who live in the area. Her parents are elderly and live in an assisted living facility.

• Summarize the client that you were assigned. Describe the developmental challenge(s) associated with that client.
• Describe two potential counseling goals to help address these challenges, and one developmentally-supportive intervention that would support these goals from a wellness perspective.
• Where appropriate, be sure to highlight any significant biological, cultural, or environmental influences, paying particular attention to considerations for pair-bonding and career influences, as applicable to your client.
• Justify your response with references to this week's Learning Resources and 1-2 peer-reviewed articles from the past 5 years.

This is a helpful outline for the assignment: Introduction (<--no heading here!)

-- conceptualization of client (brief presenting issues)

-- developmental challenges client is facing

*remember to cite Laureate Resource for client information, and text/article(s) for developmental challenges

Counseling Goals

-- two potential counseling goals

-- relate these to presenting issues and developmental tasks of this stage

*remember to use a WELLNESS PERSPECTIVE as supported by assigned resources this week **highlight any significant biological, cultural, or environmental influences, paying particular attention to considerations for pair-bonding and career influences, as applicable to your client

Counseling Interventions

-- one developmentally-supportive counseling intervention

-- relate these to presenting issues and developmental tasks of this stage

*remember to use a WELLNESS PERSPECTIVE as supported by assigned resources this week **highlight any significant biological, cultural, or environmental influences, paying particular attention to considerations for pair-bonding and career influences, as applicable to your client

Summary (<-- this section is a review of key points; no new information here)

-- developmental challenges of client

-- how this understanding informs counseling approach

-- focus of counseling with client

References

-- Broderick & Blewitt text (please use this textbook for the analysis of this client)

Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2020). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Education

-- 2 assigned peer-reviewed articles (Academic journals)