The Klines: A Case Study in Family Counseling The Kline family consists of Gail and George, their two daughters, Jessie (10) and Jaime (12), and their son Gary (16). George called for the intake interview, saying that his son was in trouble for stealing and dealing marijuana at school. Gary is on probation, and the court ordered him into individual counseling, but it was recommended that the family should be involved in family counseling as well. George insisted on following the suggestion of the court and involving the entire family in family counseling. However, he doesn't have much hope that therapy will be of much help. According to him, the one who is responsible for the family's problems is his wife, who, he says, is an alcoholic. George, a businessman, who does a great deal of traveling for work, is convinced that he is doing all he can to hold the family together. He comments that he is a good provider and he doesn't understand why Gail insists on drinking. He feels that Gary has gotten everything he ever wanted, and he maintains that young people today are "just spoiled rotten". The father says that his eldest daughter, Jaime, is the best one of the bunch, and he has no complaints about her. He sees her as being more responsible than his wife, as well as being more attentive to him. He views his younger daughter, Jessie, as pampered and spoiled by her mother, and he has little hope for her. George is willing to give family counseling a try and says he hopes that the therapist can straighten them all out. He says that he, Gail, and Jessie are all willing to come in for a family session. Jaime doesn't want to attend, however, because she says she has no problems and sees no purpose in therapy for herself. Gary is reluctant to appear, even for one session, because he feels sure that the others in the family will see him as the source of their problems. To satisfy the conditions of the probation, Gary would rather choose "the lesser of the two evils" and see his individual therapist only. The counselor who did the intake interview saw only the father for an initial session. He suggested that you see the entire family for at least one session and then decide how to proceed.