Emotional Abuse
Family Members
- Client (Mother) – Sonia (age 24)
- Child – Jaspreet (age 6)
CASE VIGNETTE
You are a social worker in an out-patient drug rehabilitation program. Sonia, age 24, recently finished a 30-day detoxification program for alcohol and drug (cocaine) abuse and was referred to your program for ongoing support. You have seen Sonia once and during that session you explained your role and the limits of confidentiality. This is your second session with Sonia.
The school counsellor has told you that Jaspreet appears socially withdrawn. In a meeting with the school counsellor, Jaspreet sat in the corner away from his mother. He does not greet the teachers at school or make eye contact. When the school counsellor asked Jaspreet what he likes to do for fun he replied, “Nothing, everything’s stupid. I’m stupid. My mom said she wishes she never gave birth to me.” Jaspreet reported that he just wants to sleep all day, and that his mother yells at him to get out of bed. He reported that she yells at him all the time. He indicated he would rather live with his father because he is “nice” and does not yell at him. However, Jaspreet has little interaction with his father since the separation.
This is your second session with the client.
You have already explained your role and the limits to confidentiality.
If you are interested in the accompanying case vignette for standardized clients, please contact Dr. Barbara Lee at b.lee@ubc.ca for the full case vignette book.
