Vargas Family Case Study

Vargas Family Case Study

Demonstrate how therapists apply psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral theories to analyze the presenting problem(s) and choose appropriate interventions

1. What are the two main presenting problems for the Vargas family?

The first main problem that was outlined in the Vargas family case was that Bob and Elizabeth had marriage problems that we’re extending to their children. All the problems that were outlined can be attributed to the behavior of Frank. With the marriage problem, the individuals have had a lack of peace among the family members, which affects their ways of operating. The behavior of Frank keeps her mother to be restless in the fear, which makes her hurt herself continuously. This is a great family problem reported in the case, and nothing much has been done to provide solutions to the issue. Another issue that is present is outlined when Frank harasses his sister by snatching the phone from her. This is an evidential problem that is outlined in the case, which makes the family be in a lot of present problems.

2. How are the problems maintained?

From the psychoanalytic perspective

In line with the psychoanalytic perspective, the key reasons why a person develops an unconscious mind is the behavioral outlay they attain. Trying to bring such thoughts into the conscious mind in order to address some basic negative ideas in the unconscious mind is very complex. For example, the thoughts of Elizabeth about her sone having ADHD condition is the reason behind her marriage problems. The husband Bob considers her son to be very healthy, which makes him be reluctant to address the marriage problems that are available.

From the cognitive-behavioral perspective

This approach involves a therapy method that outlines that learning is essential in the development and maintenance of a number of behaviors. It is through the lessons learned that a number of behavioral processes are determined. The learning process influences the thoughts, behaviors, and emotional establishments and attachments among individuals. The thoughts of Elizabeth about her son were influenced negatively by the emotional attachments she had developed with her husband. The considerations of the problems could not allow her to understand her behaviors with that of Bob.

3. What interventions would you plan to use in your next session?

From the psychoanalytic perspective (identify and describe your plan for two interventions)

The considered psychoanalytic treatment intervention will focus n establishing proper restraints to possible conflict along with the conscious mind. It would be hard to address the existing conflict in case the individuals in question don’t understand the operations of the unconscious mind. The best intervention will be transference interpretation, which helps patients to relax and avoid stress. The other intervention would involve free association, which allows the patients to talk about the given issue.

From the cognitive-behavioral perspective (identify and describe your plan for two interventions)

These perspectives provide interventions that examine the relationship between behaviors and thoughts of individuals. It is applied to know negative thoughts, which brings more issues that influence how people react to certain things. One intervention is designing behavioral experiments that test the thoughts of people. The other is to consider behavioral changes that might happen in one way or the other.

4. What is the role of the counselor in the change process?

From the psychoanalytic perspective

In this approach, the counselor will take the role of helping patients to remember and continuously repeat good behaviors. The counselor will engage in developing key strategies that would help them transform the ideas and thoughts process for the betterment of various variables that have negative outlay. It can be achieved by analysis of current issues and coming up with appropriate changes.

From the cognitive-behavioral perspective

In this perspective, the counselor will undertake a key role in helping the patients to know their thoughts and emotions that are responsible for influencing their behaviors, which post negative outcomes. It is clear that the counselor will be of great help to the Vargas family in addressing the problem Frank faces, which is the main channel of the entire problem. The perspective will enable the counselor to have a specific focus on the identified problem and design a proper alternative solution. It is seen that the counselor will make sure that Frank has changed from entertaining destructive ideas and thoughts to gaining positive thinking. The negative behavior which has destroyed the family members, especially her mother, would be addressed by the help of the counselor. This is the best aspect that would make sure there have been positively considered behavior among the key family members. Providing guidelines to the right behavior would be of great benefit and will sustain the family significantly.

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