Early Adolescent Case Study—Teen With Relational Trauma History

2019 ◽  
pp. 82-93
Author(s):  
Susan C. Parente
Keyword(s):  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Trauma History ◽  
Relational Trauma

scholarly journals Facing the Music: Further Thoughts on Integrating Music into Psychotherapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
G. Paul Blimling
Keyword(s):  
Group Psychotherapy ◽  
Individual Psychotherapy ◽  
Bicultural Identity ◽  
Dynamic Psychotherapy ◽  
Relational Trauma ◽  
Constructive Criticism ◽  
Literary Writing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In

In this article, I respond to the insightful commentaries by Karen Riggs Skean (2019), by Richard Harrison (2019), and by Ben Adams (2019) on my hybrid case study of "James," a survivor of chronic relational trauma (Blimling, 2019). These commentaries have stimulated me to think further about the impact of music on my individual psychotherapy work, both with James and with subsequent clients, and specifically with regard to its impact on my approach to group psychotherapy work. In addition, these commentaries have raised particular issues that I respond to, including, (a) constructive criticism by Skean and Harrison regarding the potential further use of "metaprocessing" and the developments made in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) since I completed the Case of James; (b) Skean’s perceptive point explaining how an individual therapist can take a personal passion—like music or literary writing or bicultural identity—and use it to enhance his or her enlivened presence in therapy with a client; and (c) Adams’ thesis that music and psychotherapy both have their origins in the shamanistic practices of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, suggesting that the combination of psychotherapy and music is a kind of return to our very roots.

scholarly journals A Life-Saving Therapy: The Theory-Building Case of "Cora"

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margrethe Seeger Halvorsen ◽  
Kirsten Benum ◽  
Hanne Haavind ◽  
John McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Integrative Therapy ◽  
Satisfactory Outcome ◽  
Relational Trauma ◽  
History Of ◽  
Session Evaluations

<p>The present paper presents a case study of long-term (121 sessions over three years), integrative therapy with "Cora," a client with a history of severe relational trauma that had led to difficulty in forming close relationships, and a history of hospitalization resulting from a series of suicide attempts. Despite these challenges, Cora reported a highly satisfactory outcome at the end of therapy. Using the format of a theory-building case study (McLeod, 2010; Stiles, 2007), qualitative analysis of session evaluations, session transcripts, and post therapy interviews were used to investigate how both the client and therapist understood the process of therapy and why it had been successful. Data from quantitative process and outcome measures were analyzed to provide contextual information. In spite of repeated challenges and difficult therapeutic situations, Cora and the therapist were able to establish a recurring pattern of interaction that they found relevant and productive and that was characterized by <em>persistence</em>. Other helpful aspects of the therapy process included acting with <em>courage</em>, and the use of <em>symbolic representations</em> of their accomplishments. The results contribute to our understanding of the process of therapy with clients who have been exposed to severe relational trauma. The discussion includes reflection on methodological issues associated with mixed-methods case study research in psychotherapy.</p>

scholarly journals Integrating Client-Chosen Music in Relational Trauma Treatment: Pathways to the Heart

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Karen Riggs Skean
Keyword(s):  
Term Treatment ◽  
Interpersonal Functioning ◽  
Trauma Treatment ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Dynamic Psychotherapy ◽  
Treatment Pathways ◽  
Trauma History ◽  
Relational Trauma ◽  
Major Loss

This commentary discusses the therapy of a hybridized client (Blimling, 2019) with a difficult relational trauma history in which client-chosen music was combined with a short-term treatment utilizing Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This combination bypassed rigid defenses and allowed access to a level of affect not ordinarily available to the client, allowing significant symptomatic and relational shifts to occur. Primary goals of helping the client deal with a major loss, reduce his level of depression, and improve his interpersonal functioning were met. Implications for the use of integrative methods with short-term models and the importance of therapist flexibility are discussed.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing the Complexity of Change in Psychotherapy: The Case of “Cora”

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 224
Author(s):  
Margrethe Seeger Halvorsen ◽  
John McLeod ◽  
Kirsten Benum ◽  
Hanne Haavind
Keyword(s):  
Close Relationships ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Psychotherapy Research ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Relational Trauma ◽  
History Of

<p>In this article we respond to the commentaries by Altman and Miller (2016), Bohart (2016), and Timulak and Keogh (2016) on our case of &ldquo;Cora,&rdquo; which involved over 121 psychotherapy sessions with a client with a history of severe relational trauma that had led to difficulty in forming close relationships, as well as a series of suicide attempts (Halvorsen, Benum, Haavind, &amp; McLeod, 2016). The commentaries differ in their view of the value of Cora&rsquo;s case, interpretations of the material, and methodological preferences. Together the commentaries illustrate the complexity of change in psychotherapy, how we need multifaceted approaches to understand change, and the challenges in writing up a case in this context. We call for further dialogue within the psychotherapy research community around the nature and implications of methodological choices arising from the conduct of case study research in this field.</p>

Working Memory, Catecholamines and Psychosis: Illustrative Case

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Levy
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Autistic Disorder ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Uptake Inhibitor ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurotransmission ◽  
Prefrontal Functions

Objective: To briefly review the role of catecholamines in prefrontal functions and working memory as illustrated by a case study. Method: The work of Goldman-Rakic and Arnsten on working memory is briefly reviewed. A case study that illustrates catecholamine functions in an autistic disorder child, who suffered a prolonged psychosis, is described. Results: While the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission in working memory has been described, the present case also illustrates a role for a noradrenergic re-uptake inhibitor in treating the post-psychotic distractibility of a severely impaired early adolescent. Conclusion: The role of catecholamine neurotransmitters in the treatment of prefrontal symptoms should be further investigated.

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