Introduction

            Jack is a student in an internship program. The course he is pursuing is his second degree, having graduated from college a few years ago and then deciding to go against his father’s wishes of getting a job.

Presenting Concern and Stakeholders’ Views

      Jack wants people to view his warmer and good side rather than just one side of himself, but he has a hard time making himself vulnerable in front of people. People only see the cold man and drug user, making it hard to be vulnerable.

Background Information

Ever since he was young, Jack’s father has always pushed him towards different things and beat him, making Jack resent him. His mother was overprotective, which Jack did not like. His parents’ actions made him distant and alone, making social interaction hard.

Client Strengths and Diversity

Jack’s main strength is that he can make his decisions independently. Although his father has controlled his moves before, the decision to pursue his second degree against what his father wanted shows that he was independent when making decisions. The diversity he faces is that he is not very good in social situations, affecting vital aspects of his life.

Cognitive-Behavioral

Jack’s fear of vulnerability stems from the perceived lack of genuine love he lacked as a child. In the example that Carbone (2010) gives, Patty is another example of a patient whose childhood affects her relationships with men in the modern-day. Like in Patty’s case, Jack has trouble getting into meaningful relationships and uses other avenues to help himself. Patty relies on multiple sexual partners (Carbone, 2010), while Jack relies on drugs as an escape.

Narrative-Dominant Discourses and Diversity

The dominant discourse in Jack’s life is his father’s attempt at controlling his life. The treatment by his father made it hard for him to interact socially and made him fear being vulnerable. Although he wants people to see his softer side, he believes he will become dependent on them and trapped in their love, just like his father.

Case Conceptualization Summary

Presentation

      The interpersonal conflict in Jack’s case is what he thinks he can improve on to improve his social influence and make people see his warmer side.

Predisposition

      Jack’s parents did not treat him right, with his father controlling and his mother overprotective. These actions made him become a drug user and have bad relationships with women as a coping mechanism, making him vulnerable to others.

Precipitants

      Jack’s father constantly beat him and tried to control his movements, making him want to become independent. The dependence on people seemed to him like the reason for them to take advantage of him, so he decided not to be vulnerable towards others.

Protective Factors and Strengths

      Jack considers his lifestyle to be hedonistic. This lifestyle represents a protective factor against making friends since he does not look long-term. Jack’s strength is that he was resilient and stood up to his father in his attempts to control his life.

Pattern

      Jack needs to learn to showcase a different pattern when relating with people to show his friendlier and warmer side. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an excellent tool to form the pattern (Marquett et al.,2013). From a CBT perspective, Jack needs to ensure he tackles the main issues affecting his lack of social life and aims to improve on them in the future.

Perpetuates

Jack’s father continued attempt at controlling his life makes him continue with his pattern. Jack decided to continue with school highlights the resentment at being told what to do with his life.