The Basic Information about the Client
Maggie is a young Caucasian woman in her twenties who came from the Bowery neighborhood. Maggie decided to ask for the help of a professional without the impact of the other persons. The purpose for the referral is the feelings of despair and guilt from which the woman suffers. Maggie states that she also suffers from negative thoughts and the idea of suicide became rather obsessive. The woman seems to be nervous and exhausted, her speech and movements are fitful.
The Background Information
Maggie says she comes from the poor family living in the Bowery neighborhood of New York. Maggie and her two brothers were brought up by the cruel father and mother who suffered from alcohol abuse. The girl grew timid and shy, but she hoped to receive the good education, overcome poverty, and develop her knowledge and views. In reality, Maggieâs education is poor, and her working experience is based on the work at the shirt factory.
In spite of the problems within the family with the mother and brother, Maggie hoped she could improve the situation. The woman began relations with her brotherâs friend Pete, believing the man could help her escape from the poverty. Nevertheless, the family did not accept the fact of Maggieâs relations, and the woman had to leave home feeling guilt for her immoral behavior.
The relations with Pete were ceased because of his intention, but the woman could not return back to her family. As a result, today, Maggie has to work as a prostitute in order to earn some money, but she does not see any positive perspectives in her life.
The Psychological Profile
Having paid attention to the information provided by Maggie in the interview, it is possible to state that today Maggie suffers from the problems associated with such social issues as poverty and necessity to work as a prostitute. The woman cannot accept the fact, but she also does not see possible variants to overcome the situations.
Having assessed Maggieâs psychological state with the help of psychological rating scales, it is possible to note that the woman suffers from melancholic depression which can result in developing suicide ideas. Furthermore, Maggieâs speech is full of words with the negative connotation, and she is fixed on her negative feelings and emotions.
The typical signs of clinical depression are feelings of despair, loss, frustration, and hopelessness which are experienced by Maggie. The woman also states that she feels being betrayed by her relatives and lover because they abandoned her, and this feeling makes Maggie discuss herself as worthless and empty. Furthermore, she discusses her current position as a prostitute as the result of her immoral behaviour and relations with Pete.
From this point, Maggie suffers from rather opposite feelings of guilt and helplessness which are the results of her positive intentions to improve the life conditions beginning relations with Pete and her negative experience of being âruinedâ and betrayed by Pete. This emotional controversy is influential for Maggie, and its combination with the problematic life conditions makes Maggie choose the work of prostitute because she does not discuss herself as worthy of the better life because of the negative experience.
The result of these inner conflicts is clinical melancholic depression which is observed with references to Maggieâs statement of her sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, loss of interest to the life, and despair. The signs of depression are observed while focusing on the womanâs appearance. Maggie does not pay attention to her clothes and appearance, she avoids looking at the interviewer, and she is rather passive while telling about her problems.
Recommendations and Therapies
The symptoms of Maggieâs depression can be relived and treated, if a psychologist focuses on increasing Maggieâs self-esteem. The problem is in the womanâs resistance to accept her right to live the better life because she is fixed on her negative experience. However, the complex therapy also includes the work oriented to improving the social conditions which make Maggie feel frustrated.
Thus, Maggie should receive the help according to the cognitive-behavioral therapy. It is useful to participate in the group of support. It is helpful for Maggie to give up her work as a prostitute and return to the work at the factory in order to change the social status.
Nevertheless, Maggie can experience some difficulties with changing the work because the woman feels that she cannot accept the better position because of her immoral behavior. It is necessary to focus on the therapy with a psychologist in order to help Maggie understand the fact that she is not guilty in the problems of her family, but she is strong enough to overcome the issues.
Prognosis
There are high chances for Maggie to overcome her depression. At the first stage of recovery, Maggie should work on her self-esteem and avoid negative thinking styles. As a result, Maggie can feel powers to change the work. The long-term outcomes of the therapy are the development of Maggieâs self-esteem and will along with changing the living environments.
Maggie can become independent from her familyâs background with changing the district of the city or even the city itself. Maggie can also focus on communication with people because it is important to her to find the balance between naivety and distrust in relation to people.