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This case involves Melinda, a 25-year-old Latina who says she wants to have an a

ID: 3492468 • Letter: T

Question

This case involves Melinda, a 25-year-old Latina who says she wants to have an abortion. She has been married for three years, already has two children, and says: We had to get married because I was pregnant. We did'nt have money then. The second kid was not planned either. But now we really can't afford another child. Her husband is a policeman going to law school at night. She works as a housekeeper and plans to return to school once her husband finishes his studies and it is her turn. He should graduate in another year, at which time she is scheduled to enroll in classes at the community college. Having another baby at this time would seriously hamper those arrangements in addition to imposing the previously mentioned financial burden. But the client reports: Can't go to call the clinic, and I just can't seem to talk. I hang up the minute they answer. I just can't seem to make the appointment for the abortion, let alone have one. I was never much of a Catholic, and I always thought you should be able to get an abortion if you wanted one. What's wrong with me? And what am I going to do? I don't exactly have a lot of time.

With the information given here, what do you see as the major value issues that need to be explored?

How much emphasis would you place on factors such as what is stopping her from making the call? On her ambivalence between wanting to have the abortion and not wanting it?

If she asked you for your advice, what do you think you would tell her? If you gave her this advice, what might your advice tell you about yourself?

How would your views on abortion influence the interventions you made with Melinda?

How would you deal with this situation if you had already established a therapeutic relationship over many months with Melinda?

Explanation / Answer

Emotional conflicts such as one occurring in case of Melinda happens when there is a state of disharmony between the conscious and the unconscious. So, though Melinda doesn't identify herself much of a Catholic her parental figures and thus the repressed subconscious content influencing her decision must be playing a significant role here without her awareness. Therefore placing a emphasis on exploring the unconscious influences would be necessary using modalities such as age regression through hypnosis for quicker results.

If advice is asked about the same asking reflective and leading questions such as 'how do you think getting an abortion will help you?' 'what you feel you should be doing in order to follow through your decision? would be of greater significance instead of giving plain, straight advice. If insisted upon one can tell her to follow through her decision and alleviate guilt if any, talk about the same with her husband and gather support of friends and family to reduce the emotional burden. This advice would reflect one's belief in the positive psychology school of though and emphasis on reflective and client centered practice.

The therapist 's view on abortion shouldn't affect the interventions used for the client ideally as the therapist is required to be objective in her sessions and let the client lead the decision.

If a therapeutic relationship is established over many months with the client dealing with the situation would become easier. One would then need to use the clients family history, parental views, it's influence on the client and through reflective questions help the client become aware of how her unconscious childhood influences are having a hold on her even in present life. After awareness healing the trauma can be dealt with.