Trauma Case Studies

Words: 877
Pages: 4

It’s likely for an adolescent in today’s day and age to have typical stressors; we live in a fast changing society and it appears that peer pressure and bullying are constantly on the rise. However, if you are an adolescent in foster care and entered the system because you experienced ongoing physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse as a child, you may have difficulty managing everyday stressors. The effects of trauma can cause the adolescent to respond differently to usual teenage conflict. The client addressed in this paper is a 17 year old female in the foster care system; her permanency goal is to remain at her current placement until she emancipates by aging out. In providing care coordination services to the youth for over a year, the writer has observed the youth have difficulty …show more content…
She has been hospitalized at a psychiatric hospital three times within the last few months due to suicidal ideation. She currently self-harms, indicates that she hears voices, and often declares she does not want to live. It’s common for her to act on impulse and has difficulty resolving conflict with her peers. The youth is at risk in losing her foster care placement as it has become overwhelming for the caregiver to manage her symptoms and school behavior. Youth’s stressors may be alleviated by, having a secure caregiver who is able to make a commitment to her unconditionally. Consistent individual therapy may assist to provide insight on her behaviors and how to motivate towards positive functioning. Family therapy would also be extremely beneficial as this can provide support to the caregiver and other family members, educating them on her psychosis and identity ways they can support her. Once the youth feels that there is stability in her life and others will stay with her unconditionally, she can begin to use healthy coping skills and work towards making better