According to Korell and Lorah (2013), over half of all transgender individuals will experience some form of discrimination or violence during their lives (p. 280). “Boys Don’t Cry” directed by Kimberly Pierce is a movie narrating the life of a Transgender young adult who experiences multiple discriminatory and violent episodes. For the purpose of this paper, Brandon Teena, the movie’s main character, will be taking the role of a client attending mental health therapy. This writer will assume that Brandon decided to attend therapy before Brandon was shot. This paper will analyze the case summary, therapeutic intervention, and counselor’s competency. This analyzes will provide suggested treatment to client’s with similar presenting problem, biopsychosocial…show more content… PTSD is an anxiety based disorder that develops in people after experiencing or witnessing extremely traumatic or stressful events (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pp. 265-290). Brandon is likely to have developed PTSD after the sexual abuse and assault that Brandon experienced. APA (2013) described the symptoms that present on people with PTSD. PTSD has four types of symptoms: relieving the symptoms, avoiding situations that remind people of the traumatic experience, negative changes in feelings and beliefs, and hyperarousal (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pp. 265-290). While treating Brandon, the therapist has to assess if PTSD symptoms are present. Also, PTSD symptoms have to last for three months, cause distress, and disrupt people’s social or professional lives (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pp. 265-290). The therapist has to assess Brandon’s presenting symptoms and their duration in order to determine if Brandon has PTSD. Another diagnosis that Brandon would fit is Gender Dysphoria. Gender Dysphoria is the discomfort of someone’s physical body not reflecting their desired gender identity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pp. 451). Brandon does feel identified with the sex assigned to Brandon at birth. Thus, Brandon decided to adapt a male identity. Korell and Lorah (2013) recommend counselors to not assume that Transgender people come to…show more content… 5). A local rape crisis center can help Brandon find social support. Therapists also can help the victim find support by accessing networks of friends, family, community resources, and trans-educated counselors (p.5). The therapist and Brandon can work together to identify family, friends, and people in the community to help Brandon feel safer. NCTE (n.d.) recommends consulting with the victim before approaching family and friends for support (p. 6). Approaching Brandon’s some family and friends can be harmful for Brandon. A person that can be a source of support for Brandon is Lana. With the cooperation of Lana, Brandon and the therapist can work together towards addressing safety
