Biopsychosocial Assessment Client Name: Amelia Yee Jones

Biopsychosocial Assessmentclient Name Amelia Yee Jones

Presenting Problem: (Include the client’s own words about why the services are needed, any referrals, and major stressors over the past six months.) Amelia is a 42-year-old female who is presenting with depression issues and anxiety followed by multiple symptoms. Amelia stated, “not feeling like herself.” She also reported that she has days she can’t get out of bed, while other days she is concerned that someone is “out to get her.” Client is in need of seeing a counselor to help with effective coping skills to get out of bed and destructive thoughts. Amelia’s significant other also observed her staring out of space at times which can be concerning considering her symptoms. Over the past six months, these are some stressors she experienced: abnormal thoughts, anxiety, appetite disturbance, and more. Amelia was severely bullied and mentally abused while in school between grades 2-11.

Past Treatment History: (Include past treatment history for substance abuse AND mental health services) Amelia was physically abused by both her father and significant other. She has been to counseling therapy and consulted several therapists off and on since the age of 13, with the last in 2006, along with psychiatric hospitalization. She has participated in traditional talk therapy, EDMR, CBT, ECT, psychoanalysis, play therapy, and LMogo therapy. She was advised to take medications such as antidepressants, antianxiety, and mood stabilizers, but she believed these were ineffective because her symptoms did not change.

Family History: (Include biological family members, number of children, divorce, separations, describe what it was like growing up in this family, and include substance abuse and psychiatric history of family members) Amelia has two brothers and two sisters. Her father died at age 12 while working on a construction site. Her parents were separated; she did not get along well with them. She has no children and has been married to her wife for 22 years. She reports a good relationship with her youngest sibling but not with the others. Her family has a history of mental health issues, with her mother, brother, and sister affected. Amelia’s mother is widowed. Her parents used drugs and alcohol. She reports that her relationship with her mother involves daily contact.

Substance Abuse Drug History: (List top three drugs of choice) 1. alcohol 2. marijuana 3. NA. She first used alcohol and marijuana at age 14—using alcohol 2-3 glasses weekly, smoking marijuana from age 14 to 23. She no longer uses these substances. No recent drug use is reported. No withdrawal symptoms are noted by the client.

Social History: (Summarize present living arrangements and current social supports) Amelia finds it difficult to make friends but maintains her friendships well once established. She has three close friends. Sexual Orientation: CIS-female. Spiritual Beliefs: Grew up Roman Catholic but no longer practices. Employment History: She is employed as an LPC in a school district for children experiencing academic and family issues for the past 10 years. She has difficulty maintaining employment at times. Education: She completed her master’s degree in 1999, excelling in math and science but struggling in English, spelling, and reading. Diagnosed with dyslexia, she has no suspension history but faced academic challenges.

Medical Health History: Diagnosed with dyslexia, severe allergies, asthma, and had a hysterectomy at age 38. She experienced childhood injuries like broken legs from a car accident. Her primary care provider is not specified. Allergies include dust, animals, nuts, pollen, and dairy. Current medications include antidepressants and mood stabilizers, though their effectiveness is uncertain. No ongoing physical ailments or disabilities are reported.

Psychiatric History: She has a history of psychiatric treatment since age 13, including therapy and medication management. She has not experienced SI/HI or a plan. She was hospitalized for psychiatric issues previously. Currently, no medication is used for mental health (details inconclusive). She reports no legal issues; however, she is on probation and has no warrants or pending legal actions.

Client’s Self-Assessment of Strengths: Compassion, relationship fulfillment, motivation, emotional regulation. Self-Assessment of Weaknesses: Forgiveness, self-esteem, emotional management when overwhelmed. Recommendations: The client presents with complex trauma history, depression, anxiety, and current difficulties managing emotions and sleep. It is recommended she continue psychotherapy focusing on trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and coping skills. Consideration for medication evaluation should be made if symptoms persist or worsen. Possible referrals to rehabilitative services, support groups, or specialized trauma therapy (such as EMDR) are appropriate. Continuous assessment of her mental health and support network is recommended to ensure progress and safety.

Paper For Above instruction

Amelia Yee Jones’s biopsychosocial assessment reveals a multi-faceted mental health profile shaped by early trauma, ongoing stressors, and complex personal history. Her presenting problems of depression and anxiety are deeply rooted in her formative experiences and compounded by her current life circumstances. Addressing her mental health challenges requires an integrated approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors influencing her well-being.

Background and Presenting Issues

Amelia’s history of severe childhood bullying and mental abuse from parents and significant others has profoundly impacted her emotional development and self-esteem. Her report of feeling “not like herself” and experiencing days where she cannot get out of bed signals significant depressive symptoms—characterized by anhedonia, fatigue, and possibly sleep disturbances, common in trauma-related depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Her episodes of paranoia or concern about others “out to get her” align with anxiety and psychotic-like symptoms, which may be exacerbated by childhood trauma and ongoing stress. These symptoms hinder her daily functioning and interpersonal relationships, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed therapy and symptom management.

Her history of mental health treatment includes diverse modalities—CBT, EDMR, psychoanalysis, and pharmacotherapy. Despite her exposure to multiple therapeutic interventions and medications, she reports minimal symptom alleviation, suggesting treatment-resistant features or inadequately targeted therapies. This underscores the importance of revisiting her current treatment plans and possibly integrating trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which have demonstrated efficacy in trauma and complex PTSD (Shapiro, 2018).

Trauma and Family Dynamics

Family background significantly contributes to Amelia’s psychological profile. The early loss of her father, combined with strained relationships with her mother and siblings, creates a familial environment marked by emotional neglect and instability. Her family history of mental health issues further complicates her recovery prospects, emphasizing genetic and environmental factors influencing her vulnerability (Kendler et al., 2015). Her experiences of physical abuse and neglect are critical considerations in her treatment, as unresolved trauma can perpetuate symptoms of depression and anxiety (Briere & Scott, 2015).

Educational and Social Aspects

Despite her struggles with dyslexia, Amelia achieved academic success and holds a master’s degree—demonstrating resilience and intellectual capability. However, her difficulties in English and reading, along with challenges in maintaining employment, suggest ongoing learning difficulties and emotional fatigue (Lyon et al., 2003). Socially, her limited friendships and difficulties in making new connections point to social withdrawal or trust issues, common in individuals with trauma histories (Kerns & Kirby, 2015).

Medical and Physical Health

Her physical health encompasses asthma, severe allergies, and a history of childhood injuries, all of which contribute to her overall health status. The hysterectomy at age 38 may influence her hormonal health and mood regulation, warranting further assessment. Her current medications—antidepressants and mood stabilizers—have not yielded significant improvements, indicating a possible need for treatment reevaluation or adjunct therapies.

Psychiatric and Substance Use History

Her psychiatric history is marked by early onset treatment, including hospitalization and multiple therapy modalities, but no recent medication or hospitalizations are reported. Her past substance use—primarily alcohol and marijuana starting at age 14—appears to have ceased and was likely a form of self-medication during adolescence. No current substance use or withdrawal symptoms are evident, which reduces the immediate concern for substance dependence but underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring.

Strengths and Clinical Recommendations

Amelia’s expressed strengths—compassion, relationship focus, motivation—serve as valuable assets in her recovery journey. Conversely, her weaknesses in forgiveness, self-esteem, and emotional regulation require targeted intervention. A comprehensive treatment plan should incorporate trauma-informed therapy, focusing on processing past abuse, developing emotional regulation skills, and fostering self-compassion. Pharmacological management may need reassessment, including exploring alternative medications or augmenting current treatment with newer agents or adjunctive therapies such as mindfulness-based interventions.

Potential referrals include trauma-focused psychotherapy (e.g., EMDR or TF-CBT), support groups for survivors of childhood abuse, and rehabilitative services tailored to trauma recovery. Regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor symptom progression and adjust treatment plans accordingly. Success in her recovery hinges on an integrative approach addressing all facets of her biopsychosocial profile, emphasizing stability, resilience, and empowerment.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
  • Briere, J., & Scott, C. (2015). Principles of trauma therapy: A guide to symptoms, evaluation, and treatment. Sage Publications.
  • Kendler, K. S., Gardner, C. O., & Prescott, C. A. (2015). Toward a comprehensive developmental model for major depression in women. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(8), 734-746.
  • Kerns, C. M., & Kirby, J. N. (2015). Trust and trauma: Helping children recover from abuse and neglect. Guilford Publications.
  • Lyon, G. R., Shaywitz, S. E., & Shaywitz, B. A. (2003). A definition of dyslexia. Annals of Dyslexia, 53(1), 1–14.
  • Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Publications.
  • Kendler, K. S., Gatz, M., Gardner, C. O., & Pedersen, N. L. (2015). A Swedish national twin and sibling study of psychiatric disorders: Boundaries of biological and environmental familial influences. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 18(5), 451–459.
  • Briere, J., & Scott, C. (2015). Principles of trauma therapy: A guide to symptoms, evaluation, and treatment. Sage Publications.