Counseling Session Summary Notes, Essay Example

Client Description

Julie is a 12 year old girl who has just experienced a tornado coming through her home town of Oklahoma City. She is shaking and does not wish to talk readily. Her clothing appear damaged and she has not recently maintained her hygiene. She does not appear energetic.

Subjective Complaint

The client reports that her primary concern is the safety of her friends and family. Since the tornado has ripped out many phone lines, she will not be able to communicate with them and does not know whether the tornado hit these houses or whether they are okay. She is worried about the injuries her friends have sustained. In addition, the client is wondering when the town will turn back to normal. She heard that the school house is under repair and wants to know when she could return back to classes with her friends. Since her family’s house was damaged, she needs to eat and sleep at the shelter and wants to know for how much longer this will need to happen. The client reports that she just wants to go home.

Objective Findings

While discussion this situation, Julie’s voice was weak and it was challenging to get her to speak. She would become restless when her friends and family were mentioned. When she spoke of her friends and family, her voice would drop more than usual.

Assessment of Progress

According to DSM-V criteria indicates that Julie may have post-traumatic stress disorder. Every time she thinks of her friends and family and what may have happened to them. Because she keeps focusing on what may have happened in the context of what she knows happened, she is exhibiting symptoms characteristic of this disorder. Avoidance is an additional symptom. Julie is experiencing this because she does not want to speak about what happened with the tornado. However, it is important to speak more to Julie to determine how this event has altered her emotions. This information would help the diagnosis become more definite.

Plan for Next Session

Next session will focus on learning more about Julie’s condition and the beginning of therapy. It is important for Julie to understand how to focus on events other than the tornado and steps she could take in her life right now to start achieving happiness. Furthermore, it is important to determine the physiological supports that her and her family needs in the wake of the tornado. She is worried about her livelihood and it is important to help her be certain that these needs will be met so that therapy can be effective. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to get new information about the tornado so she can begin to recover.

Needs for Supervision

The client should be supervised by her parents while she is in this state. It is important for her parents to provide her with the support she needs to recover. Therefore, when she begins to think about these traumatic events, it would be helpful for them to calm her down and provide her with realistic information about the tornado situation so she can fully understand what is happening and begin to cope with it. A supportive environment at home will be conducive to her recovery.