Case Studies

Life-Changing Circumstances

A 25-year-old female had been experiencing anxiety and sadness for the past four months and was upset due to a recent break up with her boyfriend. She reported second guessing herself, having difficulty sleeping and feeling uncertain in social situations.

A course of weekly therapy sessions is established to help her process the break up, develop coping skills to improve her self-esteem and confidence to re-engage in her friendships and to return to a self-care routine of exercise and healthful eating.

After two-and-a-half months, her overall outlook improved and she felt more herself. We agreed on a modified schedule of therapy and monthly maintenance sessions to ensure her return to well-being and satisfying relationships.

Bereavement and Loss

A woman’s life changed when her husband of 30 years suddenly became ill and passed away a few months later. At 59 years old, she was grief stricken, depressed and not coping well with her loss.

She agrees to weekly therapy sessions for four months and is connected with a local bereavement group. It helps improve relationships with her family and friends, who were not sure how to deal with her depression. She is referred to a psychiatrist and is prescribed an antidepressant to treat her depressive symptoms over the near-term.

The memories of her husband and her sudden loss return to her in waves of emotion that have become more manageable over time as she has developed a new life routine and begun to recreate her role with herself and others.

Family Relationships

New marriages are difficult to manage when communication breaks down between the couple. In this case, a 31-year-old male was struggling with his 30-year-old spouse in their new marriage of two years. They have communication and intimacy struggles. Both of their extended families have a strong influence on their relationship and compete for their attention and time.

A course of family (couples) therapy sessions is recommended and conducted over a two-month span. Occasionally individual sessions are held with both partners to review their family challenges. A host of issues are uncovered in these sessions including “when to start a family,” “how to manage future child-care needs,” and “how to negotiate their individual career development needs.” As resolution is gradually achieved on these elements, the couple is seen for monthly maintenance therapy visits over the course of the next five months.