Therapeutic ApproachesClass 12 Psychology Case Study Questions

Rohan, a 25-year-old, sought therapy for persistent feelings of worthlessness and anxiety. During his initial sessions, he was hesitant to speak, fearing judgment. His therapist, Dr. Anjali, listened attentively without interruption. She often rephrased his statements, saying things like, "It sounds like you felt completely alone in that situation," to ensure she understood his perspective. Dr. Anjali consistently maintained a warm and accepting demeanor, even when Rohan confessed to actions he was ashamed of. She made it clear that her positive feelings for him as a person were not conditional on his behavior. This trusting and confiding atmosphere, established over several sessions, allowed Rohan to unburden himself and explore the roots of his problems. The relationship was professional, with clear boundaries and a defined goal of helping Rohan regain control of his life.

Priya has an intense, irrational fear of elevators, a phobia that restricts her life significantly as she works on the 15th floor. She seeks help from a behaviour therapist. The therapist first interviews Priya to understand the origins of her fear and identify all fear-provoking situations related to elevators. Together, they create a list, starting with 'thinking about an elevator' (least anxiety) and ending with 'riding the elevator alone to the 15th floor' (most anxiety). The therapist then teaches Priya progressive muscular relaxation techniques. In subsequent sessions, while in a deep state of relaxation, Priya is asked to imagine the least anxiety-provoking situation from the list. The process is repeated, moving up the list only when Priya can remain relaxed while imagining the scene. The principle is that the feeling of relaxation will overcome the feeling of anxiety.

After being rejected for a promotion, Sameer became severely depressed. He told his therapist, "I am a complete failure. I should be the best at everything I do, and everyone must approve of me." He believed this single event proved his incompetence and that his life was ruined. The therapist began by explaining the connection between an event, the belief about the event, and the emotional consequence. She gently questioned Sameer's rigid expectations, asking, "Why must you be the best at everything? Is it realistic for everyone to approve of you all the time?" Through this process of non-directive questioning, the therapist helped Sameer identify that his distress was not caused by the event itself, but by his irrational belief system. The goal was to help him replace these 'musts' and 'shoulds' with more flexible and rational ways of thinking.