SUNYOW Different Theories & Techniques to Apply on Judith Case Discussion

After reading the below background information about Judith, please take 3 of the following concepts that were discussed in Chapter 7 and in the lectures and discuss how a therapist might use them when working specifically with Judith providing examples of what Judith might say or how her background might be discussed in a therapy session to highlight the concepts you chose.

The concepts to use are:

1. Empathic understanding
2. Congruence of the therapist
3. Unconditional positive regard
4. Understand childhood experiences that “block out” aspects of the client
5. Encourage the natural tendency to grow
6. Nonjudgmental stance / acceptance
7. Nondirective stance
8. Genuine therapeutic relationship
9. Incongruence within the client (real versus ideal self)

An example of what is required for this assignment from a different case regarding the concept of a nondirective stance is:

Fred comes into session and begins to discuss his need to control and the anger he displays when he is not in control. He begins to provide an example of an anger outburst that occurred when he was parenting his son. Midway through the example, Fred begins to feel uncomfortable with the conversation and the feelings it is eliciting. Instead of continuing on his train of thought, he goes into a tangential story about how his family had gone on a trip and how much fun his son had on the trip. Instead of pointing out the shift from the original topic or making an interpretation of why he shifted the discussion, I go with him and let him dictate where the session goes. I ask “tell me about how the trip made you feel?” and “what made you think about the trip?” From these questions, I can get a better feel for his subjective experience of this trip and how to better empathize, going where he wants the session to go.

The Case of Judith

Judith is a 25-year-old White female who works as a receptionist at a law firm. Six months ago she began dating Shawn, a 27-year-old man who lives in her apartment complex. Their relationship has deepened, and they now see each other two or three times a week, despite their heavy work schedules. Recently, they began to talk about getting married.

Judith came to therapy because she is concerned about what she describes as her “sexual problem.” Judith told her therapist, “When Shawn and I make love, I get turned on at first but then I just shut down. It’s like my sexual feelings evaporate into thin air. Shawn is very understanding but I know it’s difficult for him.” Judith went on to say that she thought her strict religious upbringing was part of the problem. She said, “I grew up in a small southern town, and my family was almost fanatically religious. My parents thought sex was shameful and dirty and that premarital sex was a horrible sin. If they knew that Shawn and I were having sex, they would be appalled. I left the church when I was in college, and I no longer believe many of the things my parents and church taught, but I think my upbringing has caused me to block out my sexual feelings.”