Discussion Board 4.

Re: Case study - Jennifer

The analysis of this case study shows that Jennifer is indeed worrying excessively about

the perceived life events. Ruini and Fava (2009) opined that it is normal to have feelings of

unease and anxiety throughout the various developmental stages, excessive worrying and being

overly concerned about life events may indicate symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

(GAD). Jennifer has reported that she has been having severe worries for numerous concerns.

She portrays signs of excessive anxiety for several activities and events for a considerable period

of more than nine months. As an integrative therapist, it is essential to use combined theories of

psychotherapy to improve Jennifer’s well-being. The diagnosis process is much critical to the

approach to Jennifer’s treatment. Wedding and Corsini (2019) connoted that diagnosis helps

determine what is helpful for specific diagnostic issues and promotes effective treatment. It

implies that therapists need to understand the client’s diagnosis for a better treatment process.

The other major factor to consider in Jennifer’s treatment is the stages of change. It refers to the

individuals’ readiness to change and move to the next scene. Integrative therapists should help

the client in modifying their behaviors in the foreseeable future. For example, the unit’s video

stated that Jennifer’s worries have never changed over the past nine months, and the condition

occurs every day. Therefore, as her therapist, this writer would help Jennifer cope with the life

events and activities to control her anxiety better.

Jennifer’s treatment requires the involvement of cognitive strategies and social skills.

Cognitive therapy focuses on the individual’s personality and provides that people respond to life

events in various ways (Wedding & Corsini, 2019). When assessing Jennifer’s situation, it is

found that her response was accelerated by her misperception and misinterpretation of the life
events. For instance, Jennifer reported being worried about her family’s health, but this was

unfounded because everyone is in good health. She is also suffering from social avoidance as she

reported that her friends no longer ask her out because of her anxiety. Applying social skills in

the treatment process will help in restoring Jennifer’s behavior and prepare her in coping with

negative events to minimize her anxiety.

References

Ruini, C., & Fava, G. (2009). Well-being therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of

Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 510-519. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20592

Wedding, D. & Corsini, R. J. (Eds.). (2019). Current psychotherapies (11th Ed.). Boston, MA:

Cengage.