CBT Made Simple John’s Psychosocial History and Presenting Problems

John’s Psychosocial History and Presenting Problems

John is eighteen years old. He was a shy, somewhat anxious child who tended to worry. In high school, he made
a good group of friends, was on a number of sports teams, did fairly well academically, and generally became
more self-confident and less anxious. He decided to attend college far from home and is living in a dorm. All his
high school friends attended a college near home, but he wanted to go away for school. He had looked forward
to the adventure of leaving home and going to a new place. It was a financial stretch for his parents to send him
away for school, but since it was so important to him, they offered to pay for his tuition. John was planning on
paying for the additional living expenses by working over the summer and during the school year.
To his surprise, John has been finding college very stressful. He expected to do well, but feels he is not coping.
He is behind in his assignments and worried about school and money. He has not made friends and feels
depressed. He is generally feeling overwhelmed and not sure what to do. The resident assistant in his dorm build-
ing suggested he go for therapy.

© 2017 Nina Josefowitz and David Myran / New Harbinger Publications.

Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.
CBT Made Simple Charlotte’s Psychosocial History and Presenting Problems

Charlotte’s Psychosocial History and Presenting Problems

Charlotte graduated from high school and since that time she has been working in a small women’s clothing
store that is located in a nearby shopping mall. Charlotte is a generally happy, outgoing person. She enjoys her
work and gets along well with her colleagues. She lives at home with her parents and has a steady boyfriend,
whom she sees mainly on weekends as she often has to work late at the store.
One evening about six months ago, she was alone in the store and standing by the cash machine as she was
getting ready to close. Two men with hoodies pulled down over their faces walked up to the checkout counter.
One told her to open the cash register; the other took out a knife, walked behind her, and held the knife to the
back of her neck. She was so scared that she could not remember how to open the cash register, but after a few
tries it popped open. She gave them the money and they fled the store. She was shaking and crying but managed
to call the police. Charlotte took the rest of the week off but returned to work the following week; even though
she was terrified, she needed the income.
The symptom that brought Charlotte to therapy is that she is does not feel like herself. She used to be a
happy person; she liked going out and having fun, and often organized outings with her friends. Since the
robbery, she has withdrawn from friends and family and no longer wants to go out with her boyfriend. She has
stopped exercising and started eating a lot of what she thinks of as junk food and drinking at least two to three
drinks a night in her room, which is unusual for her. She has been able to go to work but is highly anxious
throughout her shifts. She used to enjoy work, but now she just manages to get through the day. She describes
herself as depressed

© 2017 Nina Josefowitz and David Myran / New Harbinger Publications.

Permission is granted to the reader to reproduce this form for personal use.