Case Study
Patient Demographic: Client Age: 25 Sex: Male Gender: Male Sexuality: Heterosexual Ethnicity: Caucasian Relationship Status: Single Counseling Setting: Counseling Clinic Type of Counseling: Individual Presenting Problem: Depression and Suicidal Ideation Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Mild (F33.0)
Mental Status Exam: Mental Status Exam: The client appears to not have bathed recently because his hair is greasy and unkempt. The client has food stains on his clothing; however, he is dressed appropriately for the season. His motor movements are within normal limits. He is engaged in therapy, but he appears anxious as evidenced by hesitating before speaking and by his hand wringing. The client reports suicidal ideation with no plan or intent. The client reports a depressed mood more often than not and difficulty enjoying most activities. The client is oriented to person, place, time, and situation. The client reports that his appetite has increased lately and that he is experiencing hyperso
Presenting Problem: You are a resident in counseling practicing in a private practice agency. During the initial counseling session, the 25-year-old single male client reports feeling depressed and hopeless. He has difficulty enjoying activities that he has enjoyed in the past and feels unsatisfied with most areas of his life. The client identifies that he is not happy at work and wants to make a career change. The client verbalizes feeling sad more often than not, and that this has been going on for about 2 years. The client decided to start counseling when he began experiencing suicidal thoughts. The client reports no plan or intent to attempt suicide but is concerned about his own well-being.
Other Contexts:    mnia. Family History: The client reports that he has two younger brothers who are 19 and 22 years old. His parents divorced when he was 10 years old, and he grew up living with his mother but maintained a strong consistent relationship with his father. The client reports no history of trauma, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. The client denies drug or alcohol use, although he reports that his father previously was an active alcoholic

Question: Which one of the following would be the most appropriate frequency for sessions based on the client’s present suicidal ideation?
(A): Weekly
(B): Fortnightly (every other week)
(C): Twice weekly
(D): Daily

Correct Answer: Twice weekly
Explanation: It is important to provide frequent sessions to this client at this point in treatment due to his reported suicidal ideation. Because the client’s risk appears moderate due to the presence of suicidal ideation with no current intent or plan, seeing him twice weekly would be most appropriate. Weekly and fortnightly (every other week) sessions might not provide the oversight and guidance needed to stabilize the client. Daily sessions would be more appropriate in the presence of intent, and it would likely not be possible due to insurance not covering that frequency of sessions. Requiring daily sessions would also indicate severe risk and, therefore, the need for a higher level of care such as hospitalization. Therefore, the correct answer is (B)
Competency: treatment planning