Case Study
Patient Demographic: Name: Dana Clinical Issues: Relationship distress with mother during divorce Diagnostic Category: Depressive Disorders;V-codes Provisional Diagnosis: F33.1 Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate, Recurrent Episodes; Z62.820 Parent-Child Relational Problem Age: 15 Sex Assigned at Birth: Female Gender and Sexual Orientation: Female, Heterosexual Ethnicity: Multiracial Marital Status: Never married Modality: Individual Therapy Location of Therapy : Under Supervision  
Mental Status Exam: The client is dressed in black attire. She sits with her hands folded and slumped over in the chair. She makes little eye contact and seems to distrust you. Her mood seems flat. During the intake, the mother complains about how her daughter "does not listen," "acts out all the time," and "picks fights with her sister." The client is reticent and shrugs her shoulders.    The client reported several other symptoms indicative of a depressive episode, including feelings of worthlessness, anhedonia, and lethargy. She also said having recurrent thoughts of self-harm that had become pervasive throughout her day-to-day life. On objective examination, the patient demonstrated psychomotor retardation, appearing to move and speak in a lethargic and sluggish manner. Cognitively, the patient's attention span was limited, and her concentration was impaired. She could not sustain her train of thought and had difficulty forming coherent sentences. Her mood was notably depressed, and her affect was constricted. This suggests a severe depressive episode, and these symptoms will likely require aggressive treatment.
Presenting Problem: First session You are a limited permit holder under direct supervision. The client is a 15-year-old multiracial female who presents to the first counseling session with her mother. The session begins with the client's mother monopolizing the conversation, and it is difficult for the client to get a word in edgewise. The client's mother continually brings up her husband as a source of her daughter's problems. The mother says, ""Our daughter is not doing well in school and has been talking back to her teacher. I think it comes from the relationship she's had with her father." The client interrupts and says, "It's not Dad's fault! You're the one who abuses me!" The mother is incredulous and begins to yell, saying that she would never hit her daughter and that the client is lying. The mother tells you that her daughter is a "liar, a thief, and creates problems." She reports that Child Protective Services (CPS) has been to their house several times, and she believes that these visits are her husband's fault.    The client is visibly upset, and her mother continues to berate her. You intervene and explain that the client's disclosure is serious and should be taken seriously. You explain that you must speak to the client alone before deciding the best course of action. While speaking alone with the client, you notice that she is shaking and close to tears. You encourage her to take deep breaths and explain that she can take some time to regroup before continuing. After a few minutes, she appears calmer and begins to describe her home situation. It becomes clear that the client's home life is chaotic and that she is being subjected to verbal and emotional abuse from her mother. She tells you that she wants to live with her father. The client also states that she has been bullied in school, and this has been going on for some time. You explain to the client that she has a right to feel safe and that you will do everything in your power to ensure her safety. You continue asking question to assess her level of distress, and you note the client's self-reported symptoms consistent with depression, including insomnia, fatigue, and a significant decrease in her appetite. She is also alienating herself from her peers and family.    After completing the initial session, you schedule an appointment to see the client and her mother next week to continue your assessment to determine the best course of action.
Other Contexts: The client has experienced a great deal of distress due to the chaotic environment of her home life. Her adoptive parents are in the middle of a "messy divorce," and it has been difficult for her to process, as she has had to witness her parents' arguments and the shifting dynamics of her family. This strain has been further compounded by her mother and grandmother's favoritism towards her younger sister, leading to the client feeling neglected and overlooked. In addition, her attempts to connect with her mother and sister have often been met with hostility, leading to frequent arguments and further exacerbating her feelings of alienation and loneliness.    The client has also expressed feelings of anxiety and depression due to her current living situation. She has expressed a strong desire to live with her father and escape the hostile environment of her mother's home, yet her mother has continuously denied this request. This has resulted in the client feeling trapped and powerless to alter her current situation, leading to a sense of hopelessness.    The client's relationship with her mother is strained, and she has difficulty trusting her. As a result, she is often guarded around her mother and expresses her distrust and resentment, resulting in further conflict and tension between them. The client's school environment has affected her mental health. She is constantly subjected to verbal and physical bullying from her peers, leading to feelings of worthlessness and insecurity. Her academic performance is suffering, and she cannot concentrate in class, leading to further isolation from her classmates. Previous Counseling: The client has been in and out of therapy with many different professionals. She has been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. Her mother is also in therapy and believes her daughter needs "help." The client states that her mother has abused her before, and Child Protective Service (CPS) has been to the house numerous times but has not found any evidence of abuse. 

Question: What do you need to clarify with the mother based on the session?
(A): Identify who the client is
(B): Whether the ex-husband needs to be involved in the client's therapy
(C): Suggest the mother needs to continue seeing her therapist
(D): The quality of the mother's interactions with her child.

Correct Answer: Identify who the client is
Explanation: The daughter is the client, but the mother takes over the session. You may need the parent to come into the session if something is wrong or in danger; however, you need your client's trust to develop rapport. That will not happen if the mother continues to monopolize the session. You must clarify who the client is. Therefore, the correct answer is (A)
Competency: professional practice and ethics