Week 2: Mother and daughter: A cultural taleCollege of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden UniversityNRNP 6645: Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities

Week 2: Mother and daughter: A cultural taleCollege of Nursing-PMHNP, Walden UniversityNRNP 6645: Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities

CC (chief complaint): “Chaos” in the home

HPI:

The family is composed of Patti 40-year-old mother, daughters Sheela, Sharleen, and

Shirleen respectively aged 24, 23, and 21, and sons aged 18 and 15. Patti is from Iran.

While in Iran, Patti was a victim of domestic violence. Her husband, the children’s father,

physically abused her. Patti left Iran 12 years ago to come to the United States. She

brought along with her all of her children except the middle child, Shirleen. Shirleen

remained in Iran with her father. Even though Patti’s husband wanted the family to

return to Iran, Patti refused because she was tired of being abused. Everything was fine

for Patti and the children in the United States for ten years until Shirleen came to join

the family. Shirleen states that she was physically and sexually abused by their father.

She blames the abuse on her mother because she left her behind in Iran. Patti

attempts to help Shirleen manage her trauma, Shirleen refuses her help. Shirleen gets

married and leaves the home. Patti believes she has done her best to try to help

Shirleen and essentially writes her off. The two eldest daughters eventually leave home

to pursue their own lives. Patti complains the two eldest daughters are no longer

attentive to her. She wants her children to abide by the traditional, collectivist beliefs of

Iran but as stated by the 23-year daughter Sharleen, the children want to detach from

the mother to live independent, individualistic, lives that are in alignment with the values

of the United States. While the sons still live with Patti, she believes they do not do

enough for her and she does not get along with her 15-year-old son.

Past Psychiatric History:

General Statement: Patti has been in therapy for about a year and a half.

Caregivers (if applicable): None

Hospitalizations: None.

Medication trials: None.

Psychotherapy or Previous Psychiatric Diagnosis:

Substance Current Use and History: No history of substance abuse

Family Psychiatric/Substance Use History: The entire family has met with therapist a

couple of times. There is no mention of any substance abuse for family.

Psychosocial History