The purpose of this report is to present an analysis of a client system รป in this instance, a 22-year-old African-American female diagnosed as suffering from major clinical depression after giving birth to her third child in five years. The report will draw upon relevant literature and the case itself to describe the client and her engagement with this writer/therapist, describe and identify the three phases of the therapeutic intervention, and assess any problems or issues arising in the therapeutic relationship that suggest therapeutic changes for future casework. The goal of the research report is to illustrate how a real-world case was managed by the writer and the efficacy of the planned interventions.
Ms. Ann Jones (not her real name) was referred to counseling after the birth of her third child in a five year period, having been assessed at a local public health clinic where she and her infant received medical care as likely to be suffering from a severe case of postpartum depression. Epperson (1999) commented that postpartum major depression occurs in approximately one of every 10 childbearing women and is often underdiagnosed, leading to inadequate treatment and prolonged manifestation of symptoms and, in some instances, the onset of comorbid anxiety disorders and somatic complaints. Ms. Jones has previously complained of depressive symptoms (e.g., chronic fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances, eating pattern changes, and a sense of hopelessness) after the birth of her second child; her children are ages 5, 3 and four months and are all cared for in the home by Ms. Jones, who has limited support from her partner and her family members. Her medical doctor and nurse practitioner recommended that she seek counseling assistance after placing her on an antidepressant regimen (i.e., Elavil) that has had limited impact upon her mental state.
According to Epperson (1999), the primary symptoms of Postpartum Major Depressi...