Case Study
Patient Demographic: Client Age: 22 Sex: Male Gender: Male Sexuality: Homosexual Ethnicity: Latino American Relationship Status: Single Counseling Setting: Community Mental Health Center Type of Counseling: Individual Presenting Problem: Depression Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate
Mental Status Exam: Mental Status Exam: The client is pleasant and dressed in age-appropriate attire. He is tearful when discussing his family and states this has been difficult for him. The client has had no previous suicide attempts. He is observed biting his nails. He describes feeling sad daily and states he sleeps during the day because he cannot sleep at night. He is slightly underweight but denied any difficulties with appetite. The client’s speech is coherent and clear. He denies suicidal ideation but often questions his worth and purpose. Fam
Presenting Problem: You are providing counseling services at a Community Mental Health Center. A 22-year-old Latino male, accompanied by his aunt, presents with symptoms of depression. The aunt is concerned about the client’s social isolation, feelings of hopelessness, and excessive daytime sleeping. Four months ago, the client’s parents kicked him out of their home after discovering a suggestive social media post of him with another male. He is close with his aunt and uncle, who have allowed him to stay in their basement. The client’s father refuses to speak to him and has told him he is “less than a man” and an embarrassment to the family. The client’s symptoms worsened last month when he was laid off from his job as a server.
Other Contexts: The client displays a blunted affect and remains pleasant and cooperative. He reports that he did apply for a few jobs, but it has been difficult due to his past experiences of workplace harassment and discrimination. He is socializing more frequently, primarily at LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs. The client states he used to go to the gym daily and has recently started going some on the weekends. He explains that he has felt less depressed but remains poorly motivated. He denies suicidal ideation. The client is unsure how to prioritize goals for treatment

Question: Which are the most effective means for understanding the client’s experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and inclusion?
(A): Examine the client’s contextual manifestations through the lens of intersectionality.
(B): Understand the complexity of the client’s gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression.
(C): Address misinformation and disinformation surrounding issues of diversity, sexuality, and cultural sensitivity.
(D): Explore one’s own internalized biases regarding sex, sexual orientation, gender, and related behavioral and cultural norms.

Correct Answer: Examine the client’s contextual manifestations through the lens of intersectionality.
Explanation: The most effective means for understanding this client’s experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and inclusion is to examine the client’s contextual manifestations through the lens of intersectionality. Intersectionality considers each individual’s privileged and marginalized status in terms of all intersecting contexts. This client is a young, Catholic, Latino American who self-identifies as a gay male. Each construct serves as a foundation for his identity. The client’s identity influences how he relates to the world and how he is affected by sociocultural values and norms. Since the client identifies as a gay male, his gender identity is not in question. Gender expression refers to how an individual’s dress, behavior, or haircut reflects one’s gender identity, making answer B incorrect. Culturally sensitive therapy involves recognizing one’s personal biases; this is not an effective means for understanding this client’s specific experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and inclusion. Counselors are ethically responsible for addressing misinformation and disinformation on an individual and institutionalized level. However, this alone will not assist you with understanding the client’s marginalized experiences. Therefore, the correct answer is (A)
Competency: counseling skills and interventions