Case Study #4
- Prompt: Sarah is a LPC in a small, rural area. Sarah grew up in the community, and she moved back after graduating and completing her internship hours for licensure. Sarah has since become very involved in the community and has frequently been seen attending various community events. Mark, a 38-year-old farmer, sought counseling with Sarah for issues related to depression and anxiety stemming from financial stress and family conflicts. Over the course of several months, Sarah and Mark developed a strong therapeutic alliance, and Mark has made significant progress in managing his symptoms and developing coping strategies. Recently, Sarah became an active member of the local Rotary Club, which Mark recently joined to expand his social network and seek community support for his farm. In addition, Mark’s wife, Lisa, is part of the same book club as Sarah, and they occasionally interact at social gatherings. This small community has no other professional counselors, and the nearest counselor is about an hour away. Discuss what risks Sarah faces. What other considerations should you consider? How would you suggest that Sarah handle this situation? Should she refer Mark to another therapist? Why or why not? How should Sarah manage these non-professional relationships?
- Requirements: 2 pages, double-spaced, APA format. Note that title page and/or references pages do not count toward the final page count. Support your answer with evidence from your textbook, Scripture, and journal articles.