1
Feminist, Solution-Focused, and Narrative Therapy Application (Obj. 7.1 and 7.2)
Grand Canyon University
CNL-500/Theories and Models of Counseling
2
Introduction
Ana, a 24-year-old first generation Guatemalan American woman, presents for therapy to
resolve debilitating anxiety and depression. She is married to a military man who is deployed
overseas, lacks peer and familial support, and is a mother to a 1-year-old boy. She reports feeling
‘overwhelmed’ because she lacks support and recently lost her job as a loan officer in a local
bank. She is experiencing sleep and appetite disturbances, has recently lost ten pounds, and
cannot sleep because of intrusive thoughts. She has not seen her family in over a year but has had
a ’close’ relationship with them in the past. During intake, Ana’s observable symptoms include
halting speech, a flat affect, and little to no eye contact. Her insurance company has approved
eight sessions; making her an ideal candidate for solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). Using
SFBT, we will devise a treatment plan addressing counseling goals and intervention strategies,
the process and length of treatment, counselor and client roles, Ana’s cultural and social needs, a
constructivist philosophy collaboration in setting and accomplishing short-term goals, and post-
modern collaborative risk mitigation.
Counseling Goals and Strategies
, SFBT is a short-term, goal-oriented, and solution-focused theory. Ana will be
working on resolving her most critical complaints, i.e. debilitating anxiety, depression, and her
appetite/sleep disturbances. As counseling commences, Ana will discover strengths and existing
characteristics which will aid her in overcoming her fear of economic insecurity, loneliness, and
resistance to accepting outside help (Żak & Pakela, 2024). For example, Ana has a history of
strong familial relationships, if Ana approves, family reunification will provide connection and
relief. Ana will also revisit educational goals, now that she is not working full-time. Perhaps she
can rely on financial aid and her husband’s salary to carry her through her degree program.
Feminist, Solution-Focused, and Narrative Therapy Application (Obj. 7.1 and 7.2)
Grand Canyon University
CNL-500/Theories and Models of Counseling
2
Introduction
Ana, a 24-year-old first generation Guatemalan American woman, presents for therapy to
resolve debilitating anxiety and depression. She is married to a military man who is deployed
overseas, lacks peer and familial support, and is a mother to a 1-year-old boy. She reports feeling
‘overwhelmed’ because she lacks support and recently lost her job as a loan officer in a local
bank. She is experiencing sleep and appetite disturbances, has recently lost ten pounds, and
cannot sleep because of intrusive thoughts. She has not seen her family in over a year but has had
a ’close’ relationship with them in the past. During intake, Ana’s observable symptoms include
halting speech, a flat affect, and little to no eye contact. Her insurance company has approved
eight sessions; making her an ideal candidate for solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). Using
SFBT, we will devise a treatment plan addressing counseling goals and intervention strategies,
the process and length of treatment, counselor and client roles, Ana’s cultural and social needs, a
constructivist philosophy collaboration in setting and accomplishing short-term goals, and post-
modern collaborative risk mitigation.
Counseling Goals and Strategies
, SFBT is a short-term, goal-oriented, and solution-focused theory. Ana will be
working on resolving her most critical complaints, i.e. debilitating anxiety, depression, and her
appetite/sleep disturbances. As counseling commences, Ana will discover strengths and existing
characteristics which will aid her in overcoming her fear of economic insecurity, loneliness, and
resistance to accepting outside help (Żak & Pakela, 2024). For example, Ana has a history of
strong familial relationships, if Ana approves, family reunification will provide connection and
relief. Ana will also revisit educational goals, now that she is not working full-time. Perhaps she
can rely on financial aid and her husband’s salary to carry her through her degree program.
