Sharonda Case Study

Case Study

Sharonda and David is a middle class African American couple with 3 children (David (DJ), 10; Sharon, 9 and Raquel 5).  Sharonda and David are in their mid-thirties and met in college where Sharonda was a law major and David was pre-med.  They are seeking counseling due to their relationship and other environmental problems.

Sharonda (38) and David (34) have been married for 10 years but are experiencing marital problems.  Over the past two years Sharonda has had several marital affairs, stating that David” is unable to satisfy me sexually”.  David states “since my car accident two years ago, I am not physically able to perform like I did when we first met”.  David revealed that after the accident he finds it hard to concentrate and is easily distracted.

Sharonda, who is a partner in a prestigious law firm, works 12 hour days and stays in a city apartment Monday – Friday.    On the weekends, Sharonda can often be found on the telephone talking to clients or one of her male companions.  Sharonda rarely spend time with her children and revealed that “all of them were a mistake”.  “I never wanted children; the only benefit is that they are a tax write off”.  At the age of 15 years old, Sharonda was raped by a 20 year old childhood neighbor.  Sharonda’s mother does not believe the rape occurred and states that Sharonda has always been that flirty girl.  “Sometimes she can be a tease”, her mother revealed.  Her mother states that the neighbor is a good boy with good morals, “Why would I mess up that boy’s life, since she always flirted with him; besides he is like a son to me.” Sharonda never received medical or psychological treatment for the rape and began to display forms of anger toward family members and others immediately after the incident.  “She has problems maintaining her anger and is verbally aggressive when mad”, her mother states.

David can be described as a shy, soft spoken and nurturing man.  David was a surgeon but after the car accident has not worked in the medical field.  David has no desire to return to the medical field at this time and works when needed as a handyman at a construction site.  Sharonda has hired a maid/nanny to take care of the house and needs of the children. When he isn’t working he spends his days at home with the children and maid/nanny.  David revealed that he enjoys spending time with the maid/nanny and states “she understands me and appreciates me for who I am”.  David is vague when asked about his relationship with the maid/nanny.  David reports that he often feels lethargic and unmotivated by his life and only time he enjoys himself is when he is drunk.  David has an average of 35 alcoholic drinks per week.  David his revealed that he has suicidal thoughts with a plan of stepping in front of a train.  He states that he could ever actually hurt himself since it is against his religion and he believes it would be wrong to commit suicide.

All of Sharonda and David’s children are displaying negative behaviors at school.  Their eldest child, DJ has been suspended from school 5 times and becomes physically aggressive to both his classmates and teachers.  Last week, DJ assaulted another student and was temporarily suspended from school.  DJ has a very negative attitude in school, he is disruptive and never completes his work.  Due to low grades, DJ will need to repeat the 5^th grade.   The teachers don’t know what’s going on with DJ’s life outside school since he is rarely willing to share anything about his home life.  When school officials reach out to Sharonda, she states that she is too busy to deal with the problem and leaves the issues for the maid/nanny to handle.  While at home and in school, DJ refuses to follow any rules and when confronted he will either stand there and just stare without saying a word or he will say “make me”.  When you force an issue with him he throws a tantrum, punching the wall, breaking items and screaming. DJ has no friends since his classmates don’t want to be around because he blames them when he breaks the rules.

Sharon, who is 9 years old, has just started the 4^th grade.  She is friendly and engaging child, although she has had numerous problems.  Sharon’s teacher reports she has difficulty following directions and staying in her seat and talked incessantly.  She often gets into disagreements with other children at recess when she can’t seem to follow the rules of a game they were playing.  She also has difficult learning and writing.  Sharon is unable to sit quietly and work on projects; and she often interrupts her teachers with silly outbursts.  She gets bored easily and often running around the classroom.  Sharon complains of recurring headaches while at school.  Her parents have yet to address her academic issues and medical concerns.  Sharon reports that she was close to her father but that is no longer the case due to his drinking.

Raquel, was always a quiet child, has presented no problems at school, although her teachers have noticed that she now spend more time by herself.  While in school Raquel can always be found talking to one of her dolls or rocking in a corner of the classroom with no interest in interacting with other children.  When the teacher approaches her and tries to engage her in activities, Raquel would refuse to make eye contact and would continue to rock back and forth endlessly.  When the teacher attempted to physically move her into a group activity with other children, she sat on the outer perimeter of the group, displaying no apparent interest in playing with other children.  The teacher feels that Raquel is having some serious development difficulties and recommended further medical evaluations.  Although Raquel is 5 years old she displays characteristics of a 3 year old.

Sharonda’s mother will be moving into the home.  Sharonda has one sibling, Steven (34).  Both Sharonda and her Steven were raised by their single mother.  When Sharonda is asked about her father, she states that her father is a drunk that was never around.  Although Sharonda gets along with everyone in her family, she has a conflicted relationship with her mother.  Sharonda states that ever since she was little, her mother has put a lot of pressure on her to be perfect.  Sharonda’s mother doesn’t display affection, “I don’t think she really cares about whether I’m happy or not”, Sharonda states.  When Sharonda told her about problems she has with David, her mother told her to” grow up and get over it, that’s marriage”. Sharonda states that she’s rarely discuss issues that she has in her life with her mother because “I’m sure my mother is not a happy person”.

As the counselor for the family, you will meet each of the members individually then collectively as a family?

1. How would you describe the presenting problems of the family?
2. What strengths do you notice in the client/family?
3. What resources might be helpful to this family? Explain and support your argument.
4. How do you envision your role as mental health counselor in helping this family?