ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

E. Jacinto St., 8016 Davao City, Philippines

GRADUATE SCHOOL

1ST Semester, A.Y. 2021-2022

Theory and Practice of Counseling and

Psychotherapy (PH P 506)
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology

Classwork No. 3
Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy: Case of Mary

Submitted by:
PRINCES GRACE A RETITA
Graduate Student, PhD Psych

Submitted to:
ORENCITA V. LOZADA, PhD
Course Professor
Goal Writing Worksheet

Presenting Problem: These are used to help identify problem dynamics

What does the client say is the problem(s)? Use the client’s words and phrases as much as possible.

1. Mary feels tired and lethargic all the time.

2. Mary does not sleep well.
3. Mary has a decreased motivation in general.
4. Mary feels discontented with her life.
5. Mary does not enjoy her life as she once did.
6. Mary stated, “I feel like every day is just a struggle and I don’t know where to turn.”
7. Mary faces relationship problems and challenges with her son.
8. Mary felt ignored by his current partner John.
9. Mary feels like she is a bad mother.
Dynamics: These are used to write your goals

Develop a case conceptualization based on “The Viewing: Case Conceptualization” section of each theory
chapter or use the integrative case conceptualization in Chapter 16. Identify two to four of the most salient
problematic psychological or relational dynamics from the case conceptualization; these are the dynamics that
are most likely to be contributing to the client’s presenting problem. In some cases, you will see that certain
dynamics overlap or are related; in these situations, try to summarize these overlapping dynamics into one point
below.
1. Meaning, Meaningless and Life Purpose
2. Freedom and responsibility
Symptoms:

Identify two to four of the most salient psychological symptoms or issues (e.g. depression, anxiety, substance
abuse, conflict with loved ones, isolation, loss of interest, hallucinations). List these below.

1. Loss of interest and motivation

2. Anxiety / trust issues
3. Conflict with relationships

Put It All Together

This keeps you honest: Do all the pieces fit together?

Dynamic: List the salient
psychological and relational
dynamics below.
1. Feeling tired all the time.
2. Does not sleep well
Problem: Identify which of the
client’s presenting problems this
dynamic relates to.
Meaning, meaningless and life
purpose
Freedom and responsibility
Symptom: Identify which
symptom(s) is(are) likely to
improve if the dynamic improves.
Loss of motivation.
Loss of interest/ motivation
 3. Experienced decreased Meaning, meaningless and life Loss of interest/ motivation
motivation purpose
4.Feeling of discontentment. Meaning, meaningless and life Loss of motivation
purpose
5. Feeling of not enjoying of life Meaning, meaningless and life Loss of interest/ motivation
anymore purpose
6. Feeling like every day is Freedom and responsibility Loss of interest/ motivation
struggle and don’t know where
turning to
7. Facing of relationship Freedom and responsibility Conflict with relationships
problems
8. Feeling of being ignored Freedom and responsibility Anxiety/ Trust issues
9. Feeling being a bad mother Freedom and responsibility Anxiety

Note: If for any reason you have symptoms that don’t seem to be related to the dynamics you chose, review
your case conceptualization again.
 Treatment Plan
Date: July 9, 2021 Case/Client #: 001
Clinician Name: Princes Grace A. Retita Theory: Existentialism

Modalities Planned: ✓ Individual Adult □ Individual Child □ Couple □ Family □ Group: ___________

Recommended Session Frequency: ✓ Weekly □ Every two weeks □ Other: ____________

Expected Length of Treatment: 6 months

Initial Phase of Treatment

Initial Phase Treatment Tasks

1. Develop working relationship. Diversity considerations. [Describe how you will specifically adapt your
approach to be sensitive to client diversity when developing the counseling relationship; this may include
respecting cultured and gendered norms for emotional expression.]

Relationship-building approach/intervention:
a. Create opportunities for I-Thou encounters and experiencing; promote life purpose and responsibility.

2. Assess individual, systemic, and broader cultural dynamics. Diversity considerations: [Describe how you will
adjust assessment based on cultural, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, gender, and other relevant norms.]

Assessment strategies:
a. Identify sources of life meaning, purpose and sense of freedom and responsibility.
b. Assess for coping related anxiety, conflict of relationships and loss of motivation.

Initial Phase Client Goals: Manage crisis; reduce distressing symptoms

1. Increase client’s sense of responsibility and life meaning to reduce loss of interest and motivation.
Interventions:
a. Identify perceived factors that decreases motivation.
b. Encourage client to accept her personhood and recognize her anxieties.

Working Phase of Treatment

Working Phase Treatment Task

1. Monitor quality of the working alliance. Diversity considerations. [Describe how you monitor the client’s
ongoing sense of connection with counselor and how you will specifically adapt monitoring and/or
relationship based on client age, gender, cultural, sexual orientation, socio-economic, etc.]

a. Assessment Intervention: Assess for increasing capacity for ability to readily and comfortably
experience I-Thou connection in session.

Working Phase Client Goals (2 to 3 goals): Target individual and relational dynamics using theoretical
language (e.g. decrease avoidance of intimacy, increase awareness of emotion, increase agency, etc.)

1. Increase meaning and life purpose to reduce loss of interest/ motivation.

Interventions:
a. Uphold client’s sense of self relevant to identifying her life purpose and its meaning.
b. Encourage client to find sources of meaning that are worth struggling and living for.

2. Increase client’s sense of freedom and responsibility to reduce conflict with relationships.
Interventions:
a. Encourage client to take wise choices upon dealing conflicts with relationships.
b. Boost client to take responsibility of actions taken.

3. Decrease client’s feeling of being ignored by loved one and being a bad mother to reduce anxiety on
relationships.
Interventions:
a. Encourage client to recognize her own strength as a mother.
b. Reassure the client of her self-worth.

Closing Phase of Treatment

Closing Phase Treatment Task

1. Develop aftercare plan and maintain gains. Diversity considerations. [Describe how you will access
resources in the communities of which they are a part to support them after treatment ends.]

Intervention:
a. Assist client to identify ways in continuing life meaning and sense of responsibility in her day to day
living.

Closing Phase Client Goals (1 to 2 goals): Determined by theory’s definition of health and normalcy
1. Increase client’s life purpose and responsibility to reduce loss of interest and motivation.
Interventions:
a. Encourage the client to fully embrace life purpose.
b. Help the client to recognize her own feelings and take responsibility about it.

2. Decrease client’s feeling of being ignored and not useful to reduce anxiety on relationships.
Interventions:
a. Encourage client to embrace her self-worth.
b. Affirm the client of her strengths to be responsible in handling relationships.

Client Perspective

Has treatment plan been reviewed with client? ✓ Yes □ No; If no, explain: _____________________________

Describe areas of Client Agreement and Concern:

The client has been responsive and have agreed to take the session.

PRINCES GRACE A. RETITA, _____________ __________________, ______________

Clinician’s Signature, Intern Status Date Supervisor’s Signature, License Date