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APA Psychotherapy Training Videos are intended solely for educational purposes for mental health professionals. Viewers are expected to treat confidential material found herein according to strict professional guidelines. Unauthorized viewing is prohibited.
In Feminist Therapy, Dr. Laura S. Brown demonstrates this integrative approach to psychotherapy. Feminist therapy may superficially resemble other forms of psychotherapy, but the therapy's basis in feminist political analysis and scholarship on the psychology of women and gender make this a unique and valuable approach for both female and male clients. In this session, Dr. Brown works with a woman recently convicted of narcotics charges. She helps the client to discern how past experiences have shaped her current negative self-narrative. This video features a client portrayed by an actor on the basis of actual case material.
Precipitating Events Six months ago, Ellen was arrested for grand larceny and possession of narcotics. A few weeks ago, she was found not guilty of grand larceny and guilty of a minor drug offense. For the drug charges, she was remanded by the court to see a psychologist. On the basis of a referral, Ellen made an appointment with Dr. Brown. The arrest had occurred after what Ellen had thought was a "success and a coup" at the art gallery at which she occasionally worked. Ellen had arranged a reception at the gallery for a new show they were hanging. At the party, Ellen was mixing and mingling (and "sparkling" with the help of some coke) while making new contacts. In the back room of the gallery, she spotted a good size oil painting from the previous show that had not been cataloged and sent to storage. Ellen figured this was a perfect opportunity for her. Maybe she could "borrow" the oil and try to arrange a sale for the gallery. She would show the gallery owners that she could put together a deal…or maybe she would just pocket the money for herself. After the opening, Ellen offered to close the gallery. She and some friends did a lot more coke, and on the way out, she took the painting, scooped up the half-used vial of coke, jumped in a taxi, and went home. When she was arrested at her apartment later that night, she was too "wasted" to understand the gravity of her situation. Later, she realized the trouble she was in. "Oh my God," she thought, "I have been found out. I am caught in my own web. Everyone will know I am a fake. Things are really out of control this time. My father will find out!" Ellen had worked hard to create her image. She tried to put together the impression of the person she wanted to be. Since the court sentencing, she toyed with suicide. "The lies, the cheating, the hustle were getting to be too much." About 2 years ago, she had been "running a scam" at the bookstore where she worked: running up "sales" on the register and then returning the "sales" for cash, using others' credit card numbers for purchases at other stores, and generally stealing from the cash register. The owners must have suspected her because she was fired. At the time, she felt anxiety and panic. About 15 years ago, when Ellen was in college, her apartment was broken into and the assailant "forced her to have sex with him." At the time, Ellen was taking lots of drugs. When the masked assailant broke in and pushed her onto her bed, she thought she recognized him. After it was over, she didn't feel that bad. She did not report the incident to the police ("Who would believe me?"), and she told no one but her brother. He suggested that she see a psychologist, but she just let it go.
Preceding Sessions Session 1: Discussed informed consent to treatment and approach to therapy. Began the process of taking history and developing a relationship between therapist and client. Suggested that Ellen begin to think about possibility of attending a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Session 2: Continued process of taking history and relationship development. Focused session on Ellen's ambivalence about the therapy process and her difficulties with seeing therapy as a choice in the face of the circumstances that had required her treatment. Explored ways in which she could be more empowered and in charge during the sessions. Again discussed the pros and cons of attending a 12-step support group. Ellen was asked to observe both if she went to the Narcotics Anonymous meeting and how she made the decision about whether to attend. We also began to focus in more detail on her experience in her family of origin. Between Sessions 2 and 3: Ellen explored attendance at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Session 3: This session. |
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