Jody and Ted have been married for ten years. Last year,
Jody’s mom passed away and since then she has been drinking heavily. Ted has
taken over getting the kids off to school and he sometimes has to call Jody’s
work when she is hungover and let them know that she is “sick.” The
couple also argues over money and parenting issues. Jody is very lenient with
their two young children while Ted tends to be strict. Ted has been begging
Jody to get help but she refuses. She will, however, attend couples counseling
because she would like the arguing in the house to stop.

Assess the case from a traditional individual pathology
perspective, noting how you would proceed with this case. Discuss specifically
who you would see, how would you structure therapy, what your therapeutic goals
would be, and some possible recommendations. Next, assess this case from a
systemic or relational perspective. Be sure to address the following issues:

•How would you identify the client?

•What systemic model of therapy would you use?

•What are the goals of therapy according to that model?

•What is the role of the therapist who is using that model?