Description

This is a case study that we are to incorporate family therapy structural model, strategic model, behavioral cognitive model and interventions for this family.

Phillip, an 11-year-old boy of Native-American descent, is brought in to you by his mother Susan and her lesbian partner, Laura. Susan is Caucasian and Laura is African-American. There are no other children in the home. Phillip’s natural father lives on a reservation. Susan and Laura tell you that Phillip is having trouble in school. His teacher has complained that Phillip is not trying hard enough, does not pay attention and does not play with the other children at recess. Laura says that part of the problem is that Susan does not discipline the child and is over-protective. Laura tells you that Susan is a pretty good parent, especially now that she is attending AA meetings regularly. When you talk to the boy, he seems lethargic but cooperative. He says he visits his biological father every other weekend, and really likes it there because he can “do what he wants”. Laura replies that Phillip’s dad is also “too lenient and lets the kid get away with too much”. You notice that the mother, Susan, says very little during the session, but that Laura is very vocal about the problems. You recommend to the couple that they take Phillip for a medical checkup and for psychological evaluation. They say they will, but never seem to get around to it. You also learn that both the mother and Laura come from divorced homes and that Laura is the oldest child in her family, while the mother, Susan, is an only child. A few weeks into therapy, an anonymous phone caller says that she thinks there is sexual molestation going on in Phillip’s family.

1. Considering the text reading assignments, what do you see going on with Phillip and his family?

10.What treatment interventions from both texts might you use with this family?

1. What cultural issues come to mind when working with this family?
2. ​What legal and ethical issues would you need to consider?