Final Project Case Study 2014 Laureate Education Inc Page 1

Final Project Case Study 2014 Laureate Education Inc Page 1

Final Project Case Study © 2014 Laureate Education, Inc. Page 1 of 1 Working With Families: The Case of the Cooper Family The Cooper family consists of Susan (age 42), Matthew (age 41), Savannah (age 16), and Milton (age 9). Susan works in the computer division of a telephone company. Matthew is a graphic artist who runs a private business out of their home. There are a number of issues that precipitated a family crisis and led them to consult with you for counseling.

Susan and Matthew are experiencing marital problems. Susan is a strong and achievement-oriented woman who works very long days and makes approximately four times the salary of Matthew. Although Matthew takes care of the family home and most of the children’s daily needs, he is chronically oversensitive and edgy about his place in the family hierarchy. Both Susan and Matthew are somewhat perfectionistic. This style has clearly affected Savannah.

Savannah is a straight-A student who has never even been close to having even the most minor school-related behavioral problem. She loves to feel in control. Unfortunately, she has begun obsessing not only about her academic performance but also about calorie counting. She has begun compulsively exercising and weighing herself several times a day. Both Susan and Matthew have observed Savannah’s hyper-concern about her weight but are at a complete loss as to how to deal with this problem.

Milton is the opposite of Savannah. He is slightly overweight, will eat consistently, and does not seem to understand the word “No.” Matthew gets calls about his misbehavior at school almost daily. The problems often are trivial, and Matthew has let the school know this, but Milton continues to get into trouble for slapping other students, not completing his homework, not paying attention, calling the teacher a sexist Nazi, and carving his initials into the bus seat. Susan and Matthew also struggle with Milton’s behavior at home: They cannot get him to stop playing violent video and computer games, and Milton is always into something, whether it is pestering the family dog or the next-door neighbors.

The final incident prompting counseling occurred about a week ago. Savannah had a large school project due on a Friday and came home from band practice to find that Milton had destroyed her project. After a series of wailing screams, Savannah proceeded to the privacy of her bedroom and began cutting on her left arm with a pair of scissors. The cuts were small and not dangerous, but the incident made Susan and Matthew panic and become desperate to “make things right again” in their family.

Paper For Above instruction

The case of the Cooper family presents a complex array of developmental, psychological, and relational issues that require nuanced intervention strategies. This analysis will explore these issues, their underlying causes, and appropriate counseling approaches, emphasizing family dynamics, individual psychopathology, and the importance of tailored treatment plans based upon detailed assessment.

Family dynamics and relational patterns are central to understanding the individual struggles in the Cooper family. Susan’s achievement-oriented and long-working hours lifestyle appears to exert significant pressure on her marriage, resulting in marital discord with Matthew. His oversensitivity and edginess suggest underlying self-esteem or identity issues. The perfectionistic tendencies of both adults likely influence their parenting styles, which in turn affect Savannah’s obsessive-control behaviors and Milton’s behavioral problems. Family systems theory indicates that these interconnected issues perpetuate maladaptive cycles that maintenance professional intervention is essential to disrupt.

Savannah’s obsession with academic success and weight control reflects underlying anxiety and possibly an eating disorder spectrum behavior. Her vow to control her body through compulsive exercising and weighing indicates a need for control amid familial or social stress. Risk factors include her perfectionism, parental pressure, and possible genetic predisposition. Addressing these issues requires cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and family sessions to modify maladaptive thought patterns and support a healthy self-image. The role of early intervention is critical to prevent escalation into more severe eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.

Milton exhibits disruptive behaviors including aggression, defiance, and disregard for rules, which signal conduct problems that may be exacerbated by family stressors and inconsistent discipline. His excessive engagement with violent media and unrestrained behavior suggest emotional dysregulation and possible ADHD or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Treatment should encompass behavioral modification strategies, parental training, and possibly individual therapy to improve impulse control and social skills development.

The violent incident involving destruction of Savannah’s project and her subsequent self-harm highlights underlying emotional distress and potential suicidality. Such a crisis demands urgent mental health intervention, incorporating safety planning, crisis management, and trauma-informed therapy. Family therapy can improve communication, resolve conflicts, and foster a supportive environment where Savannah feels safe and understood. Identifying and addressing her emotional needs is crucial to prevent further self-harm and promote resilience.

The integration of these interventions should be tailored to the family’s unique context, with a focus on strengthening family relationships, improving communication, and supporting each member’s emotional needs. Clinicians should adopt a systemic approach, considering each individual within their familial environment, and utilize evidence-based practices for each presenting problem. Multimodal strategies incorporating individual therapy, family sessions, and possibly group therapy are recommended for the most effective outcomes.

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