ACES study
Imagine that you are a psychotherapist meeting a new client, Julie. She is coming to you because she is experiencing sadness, anxiety and having trouble sleeping. In your assessment of Julie, she discloses a painful childhood. She is now 25 but tells you that her childhood was marred by stressful and adverse events. She recounts that at the age of 3 her father was sent to prison and she never re-connected with him in any meaningful way. She lived with her mother in a dangerous neighborhood where often she would hear violence occurring on the streets outside. She tells you that at the age of 7 her mother’s new boyfriend moved in and would occasionally hit her mother, especially after a night of drinking, which they both participated in a great deal. During her mother’s drinking binges Julie reports that she was routinely left to “fend for herself” often not having enough to eat. In addition to her mother’s addiction, Julie shares with you that her mother and grandmother suffered from Depression and Bipolar disorder, further complicating her already complicated childhood.
As a therapist you begin to think about the ACEs study and what the implications of Julie’s difficult childhood may be.
After reading the case study provided please reflect upon the following questions:
- Based on what you have learned above, score Julie on the ACEs quiz. What is her score? What might this score indicate in light of the readings and videos you engaged with this week?
- Given what you have learned this week about the ACES study and the science behind the findings that show increased health risks in adulthood when children are exposed to trauma, what can you predict might be in Julie’s future should she elect not to seek counseling to actively counteract the trauma? Name at least three conditions that she is likely to face as she continues to age and discuss the science behind your predictions.
- What could Julie do to counteract this negative path that she seems to be on? Give at least 4 options to suggest to her to help her counteract her early trauma.
- As her therapist you find yourself reacting to Julie’s story in an anxious way. Describe three things that you can do to provide self-care during and/or after the session.
- This journal should be 2 pages in length and cited in APA format.
RESOURCES FOR ASSIGNMENT:
https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_…
