vignette analysis and direct application of  course concepts to the persons and situations presented in the  vignette. 

Vignette Analysis III:
This  assignment focuses on vignette analysis and direct application of  course concepts to the persons and situations presented in the  vignette.   All discussions must take into account the legal and ethical  considerations, as well as cross-cultural issues that pertain to the  situations presented below.

Use  the reading assignments thoroughly in an integrative discussion. All  assignments MUST be typed, double-spaced, in APA style, and written at  graduate level English. Be sure to cite your work according to APA  format. Please keep your responses focused on what is presented in the  vignette. Do not add information but use your creativity to support what  you see in the vignette as written. Avoid elaborations and assumptions.

The  course text is the primary resource for this assignment. You should be  citing the text often to support your discussion (along with the DSM-5).  Outside references should be minimal, except for culture.

Note:  Cultural  information can be found in the DSM-5. You are also encouraged to use  outside Cross Cultural sources as needed, but please reference if doing  so. 

Discussion must be 6-7 pages plus a title and reference page.

Vignette Analysis III

Vignette Analysis III will be covering Chapters 7 and 8 in the course text and the relevant DSM-5 disorders.

Your  discussion must include the relevance of the following areas covered in  the text, directly and specifically to the persons and situations  presented in the vignette:

• Group, couple and family therapy
• Inner emptiness
• Working in the breach
• Unresolved trauma and loss

Vignette Three

Virginia  is a 45 year old African-American woman who was referred by her medical  doctor. Her doctor is concerned about Virginia’s suicidal gestures and  weight loss. Virginia tells you that her doctor is, “overreacting. I’ve always been afraid of being fat, so I like to be on the thin side. Where  I come from, a woman’s looks were her ticket to freedom. My dad left  mom and I when I was 8 because he found a young skinny woman. I begged  him not to leave, but he just laughed at me. I never saw him again.” Virginia  has memories of her dad beating her mom, “it seemed like every day, but  it was probably not that often. He never touched me. If my mom would only have taken better care of herself, stayed thin and pretty, my dad would have never left.” Virginia  tells you that her mom remarried when she was age 13, “to some jerk  with a teenage son who thought I was a sex toy for him and his friends. I  tried telling my mom but she told me to be quiet, that I had it good  and to just put up with it. So, I learned that if I cut myself, the pain  would go away. My mom and I are very close today, and she is worried  about me.”

Virginia  is currently married to her second husband of 6 years. The couple has a  5 year old son who she describes as a “miracle baby given my age and  history.” She admits to having a history of several tumultuous, abusive relationships. She  describes her current husband as “sweet and patient. I don’t know why  he puts up with me. He’s a great father, like the one I wish I had.” She  knows that she deserves to love and be loved, but she is afraid to  allow her husband to get close, “I just know he is going to walk out on  me. I feel like I’m lost in  some time warp. The only way to protect myself is to start screaming and  cussing, while at the same time, begging him to never leave me.” Virginia  denies suicidal ideation at present, though she does admit to some,  “not serious attempts as a teenager.” Your diagnosis for Virginia is  PTSD.

References:

Courtois, C.A. & Ford, J.D.    (2015).   Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach.   The Guilford Press.      ISBN 978-1462524600