Family therapy Script

Personal Information :
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Education: M.tech, applying for PhD
Socioeconomic Status: Middle
Chief Complaints
Diagnosed with depression by a psychiatrist
He has the cognition that I am a failure

About the case:

This is a case where this client has come with this cognition. He says that there
is a lot of expectation that his parents have for him. His parents want to clear his
bank exam. The client does not have any interest in the same. In addition to this
client also have a younger brother who has left his mobs and is doing nothing
right now. The client feels that this is not right. He feels that his parents don't
understand him.
You have called his parents to understand the communication and other patterns
in the family. You have to present the case and therapy needs to be given
according to the school of thought and groups given below. This needs to be
done after summer vacation. Make a script from any school of Family therapy
and make a script for the same
Answer:

Chief Complaints:
Perception of being a failure due to familial and societal expectations.
Conflict with parents regarding career aspirations, particularly pressure to clear
a bank exam.

Case Conceptualization:
[M] exhibits depressive symptoms, such as pessimism and feelings of
inadequacy, which are brought on by difficulties in his job path and demands
from his family. Because his interests don't align with his parents' expectations,
he feels like a failure, especially when it comes to passing a bank exam. The
client's depressive symptoms are seemed to be driven by his cognitive
distortions, which cause him to feel unworthy and disconnected from his
objectives.

Strategic Therapy Techniques with CBT Integration:

Externalization: Externalizing the problem helps the client view his depression
and feelings of failure as separate entities rather than inherent traits. This
technique reframes the issue, allowing the client to approach it with a problem-
solving mindset.
Reframing: Collaboratively reframing negative thoughts and beliefs using CBT
techniques helps the client challenge cognitive distortions. By identifying and
disputing irrational beliefs, the client can replace them with more adaptive and
realistic thoughts.
Homework Assignments: Assigning homework tasks, such as keeping thought
records or engaging in pleasurable activities, reinforces CBT principles outside
of therapy sessions. These assignments promote self-awareness and skill-
building, empowering the client to actively manage his depressive symptoms.
Circular Questioning: Utilizing circular questioning techniques from strategic
therapy helps uncover systemic patterns within the family dynamic. By
exploring how each family member's actions influence and are influenced by
others, the therapist gains insight into maintaining factors contributing to the
client's depression.
Brief Script:
Role-play:

Scene 1 – Client M with the therapist

Therapist: Good afternoon, [M]. It's good to see you. As discussed in the
previous sessions I understand there have been some tensions within the family
regarding your future aspirations. Before we proceed, let’s start by exploring
one by one on how these tensions have been impacting your family dynamics.
Today, I'd like us to focus on understanding how your thoughts and emotions
are influencing your current challenges. How have you been feeling since our
last session?

Client: I've been struggling a lot with the pressure from my parents. It's like no
matter what I do, I always feel like a disappointment.
Therapist: It sounds like you're experiencing a lot of negative thoughts about
yourself. Let's try an exercise to challenge some of these thoughts. Can you
identify a recent situation where you felt particularly down on yourself?
Client: Yeah, there was a conversation with my parents about the bank exam
again. I just couldn't shake the feeling that I'm letting them down. I feel I have
lost myself and I cannot achieve anything spectacular like I did back in my
past.
Therapist: Okay. Let's break down that situation. What thoughts were going
through your mind at that moment?
Client: I kept thinking and my legs started shaking and I felt jittery.I'm never
going to live up to their expectations, no matter how hard I try.
Therapist: I see. Let's examine those thoughts together. Do you think there
might be another way to look at the situation?
Client: I don’t you I can’t think of any solution so far.
Therapist: That’s completely alright we can explore the solutions and see what
possible outcomes can be taken to solve this concern. Before that I would like
to ask you that what would you do if one of your friend calls you and says you
that he is stressed because his family is putting a lot of pressure on something
and he feels he is not a good son because his opinion and choices are not
matching which makes him feel more upset and hopeless as there is lot of
arguments and the parents’ say him that he has no respect for them.
Client: Ofcourse I would understand my friend’s concern very deeply and I will
say him not to be hopeless because his parent’s view are from their generation
and they have not seen the current circumstances and issues we face everyday, I
will definitely say my friend he is doing his best because I see him do so much
of hardwork and I have seen the love and respect for his parents. I know that
parents at times does end up saying a lot of things they might not mean and that
doesn’t have to do with ourselves.
Therapist: I appreciate your Empathy and support for your friend, I can see that
you were able to understand his concern and help him look at things with
different lenses. What if we try to brainstorm your issue with same compassion
and hope? What could be the solution for your concern now?
Client: Maybe...I guess I could remind myself that success means different
things to different people.
Therapist: That's a great start. Let's work on reframing some of these negative
thoughts throughout the week and see how it impacts your mood. Also, I'd like
you to keep track of any situations where you notice these thoughts creeping in.
Sound like a plan?
Client: Yeah, I think I can do that.
Therapist: Perfect. Remember, we're in this together, and we'll figure it out one
step at a time. We can work on communication skills and then discuss your
views along with your parent’s view in our group therapy.

Scene 2:
Therapist with M’s parents and M.

Therapist: Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. [R]. Thank you for joining me today.
I understand there have been some tensions within the family regarding [M]’s
future aspirations. Before we proceed, let’s start by exploring how these
tensions have been impacting your family dynamic.

Mr. and Mrs. [R]: Of course.

Therapist: Let’s begin with the expectations surrounding the bank exam. How
have these expectations been influencing your family interactions?

Mr. [R]: We’ve been pushing [M] to pursue the bank exam because we believe
it’s the key to his future success and stability.
Mrs. [R]: Yes, we want him to have opportunities we never had and to secure a
prosperous future.

Therapist: I understand. [M], how does this pressure make you feel?

Client M : It’s overwhelming. I feel like my own aspirations are being

overlooked, and I’m being forced into a path I have no interest in.

Therapist: It seems there’s a disconnect between the family’s expectations and

your own desires. Mr. and Mrs. [R], would you be willing to listen to [M]’s
perspective without interruption?

Mr. and Mrs. [R]: Yes, of course.

Therapist: [M], I want you to express to your parents how you feel about the
bank exam and your future aspirations.

Client M: Mom, Dad, I understand that you want what’s best for me, but I feel
like my own dreams are being disregarded. I have different interests and goals
that I want to pursue.

Therapist: Thank you, [M]. Now, Mr. and Mrs. [R], I noticed that while [M]
was expressing his feelings, there was a tendency to interrupt or dismiss his
perspective. In order to foster a more supportive environment, it's essential to
validate and respect each other’s viewpoints.

Mr. and Mrs. [R]: We understand.

Therapist: Moving forward, I suggest we work on improving communication

within the family. This involves active listening, empathy, and validation of
each other’s experiences and feelings. By creating a space where everyone feels
heard and respected, we can begin to address these tensions and work towards
finding a solution that aligns with everyone’s needs and desires.

Conclusion: In the sessions to come, the therapist will focus on restructuring

the family’s communication patterns, fostering empathy and understanding, and
exploring alternative paths that align with the client’s interests and aspirations.
The aim is to strengthen family cohesion and alleviate the client’s feelings of
pressure and inadequacy.