According to Sperry & Sperry (2012), Cognitive –Behavioral case conceptualizations include a clinical, cultural, and treatment formulation that emphasize signature elements such as predisposition (maladaptive cognitions/behaviors), treatment goals, treatment focus, treatment strategy and treatment interventions.
In efforts to demonstrate an example of a Cognitive – Behavioral case conceptualization statement, Client A is presented.
Client A is a 9 year old female Caucasian, 4th grader. She currently lives with her mother, who is divorced from her father. She has one older sister, who is currently away at college and a younger sister from her father’s previous relationship. According to her mother, her maternal grandmother used to live them until she died six years ago. The loss of the grandmother was very difficult for Client’s A mother, as the grandmother was the 2nd caregiver due to the divorce. At this point, Client A inconsistently
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Her symptoms presented when Client A’s father started a new job and when she transferred into a new school (precipitant). Client A admits to feeling anxious, angry and frustrated when she is being ignored and misunderstood. She firmly believes everyone in her life should listen, believe and try to understand her. When others do not abide by her decisions or value her thoughts and emotions, she feels abandoned and that no one cares for her (maladaptive cognition). In response to her thoughts/emotions, Client A reacts with angry outbursts and becomes defensive, defiant and disrespectful towards others along with efforts to controlling them as well (maladaptive behavior). As anger has been her outlet to communicate, her maladaptive patterns have been maintained by her lack of assertive/conflict resolution skills and problem solving skills including a limited capacity for emotional regulation