Reference no: EM133526508

Theoretical formulation report ( Clinical and Counselling Psychology unit ) (Masters)

1. Choose two relevant theories/models that could explain the distress of Suzanne (case study).

2. Introductory paragraph outlining characteristics and importance of chosen theories/ models.

3. Outline how the case study relates to theories/models

4. Conclusion are these theories in explaining the case study, or are additional theories needed?

Case Study

Suzanne is a 28 -year old single female. Suzanne has been feeling anxious and depressed for a long time. Most days, she feels unmotivated to get out of the bed and get dressed. She feels tearful and sad much of the time, and doesn't think that her life is worth of living. As a result, her self-care has suffered, and she has lost a lot of weight.

Recently, Suzanne has started hearing disturbing voices, telling her that she is worthless. Sometimes the voices are laughing at her- the way she looks, the way she thinks. At other times, the voices are threatening to harm her, or kill her. The voices have made Suzanne feel very anxious, and she has realised there must be something seriously wrong with her.

After a visit to the GP, Suzanne has been prescribed anti-depressants. Suzanne did not tell the doctor about the voices, just about her low mood and anxiety. Suzanne is currently on a long-term sick-leave from her high-pressured job as a City banker. Indeed, she is the first person in her family to go to University, and have a high income. For a long time, Suzanne has been troubled with the idea that she isn't good enough to succeed in her work. She feels like an imposter, and out of place in her work. Suzanne thinks that her colleagues (mostly men) are belittling her, and treating her differently. This reminds her of her own father, who used to put her down, saying that she is fat and stupid.

Suzanne's childhood wasn't a happy one. Her father was an alcoholic, and her mother suffered from depression. As a child, Suzanne often felt insecure. Her grandmother was depressed as well, and often had violent outbursts when babysitting Suzanne. Her family lived in a poor inner-city area. Because Suzanne achieved high grades in school, she managed to get a place in a secondary school for gifted children, which was located in a wealthy area. In school, Suzanne tried her best to hide her background- the poverty, alcoholism, and violence in the house. However, the other children found out about her circumstances. This led to years of bullying, which mainly took the form of name calling, and exclusion from social networks.

In University, Suzanne was an excellent student, and popular with others. She made many friends, and felt a real belonging for the first time in her life. However, since graduating, the network somewhat dissolved, and Suzanne has struggled to build new social contacts in her workplace. She dated someone from work for a while, but the relationship soon dissolved. Suzanne feels lonely.