Charlotte is a 28-year-old single African American woman who is currently seeking counseling for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and motivation. Although Charlotte has worked in retail and restaurants, she has not been able to sustain long-term employment and has been unemployed the last three months. She attributes her financial woes to the marked increased stress and discontinued support by her family. By seeking counseling at New Changes Outpatient Behavioral Health Treatment Facility, Charlotte hopes to improve her self-esteem, reduce her anxiety, and depression related symptoms. In doing so, she looks forward to finding sustainable employment and enrolling in college.

Charlotte reported anxiety and depression to be have been present the past six months, but has become more persistent in the past two weeks. She also has reported disrupted sleep patterns and a decreased appetite. To cope, Charlotte has been self-medicating with marijuana that began when she was 16. At this time, she denies any feelings of suicidal ideation, but reports some feelings of hopelessness beginning to surface. At the age of 24, Charlotte required hospitalization after experiencing depressive symptoms following a break-up. Even now, she experiences continues to experience some emotional disregulation due to the long tem impact of her past traumas.

Charlotte is single and does not have any children. She was raised in a Christian faith and grew up in a small, predominantly upper-middle-class neighborhood near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her family. Having previously provided her with financial support, her parents decided to discontinue their support believing Charlotte should be self-sufficient by now. Charlotte is temporarily staying with friends after being between places to live.

Among Charlotte’s family are her parents, who work in the medical field. She feels pressured to succeed against her parent’s expectations. Her brother is a veterinarian, which adds to her feelings of inadequacy.

Charlotte’s father struggles with alcoholism and anger. Charlotte has experienced bouts of explosive outbursts and property destruction in the past she attributes to being learned behavior from her father. Charlotte’s mother has a history of depression and currently takes medication.

Additionally, Charlotte reported a history of sexual assault that began while she was in high school. During this time, she learned she was diagnosed with a learning disability, further bolstering her feelings of negative self-image.

Charlotte’s presenting problem is influenced by feelings of marginalization. As one of the few students of color at her high school, she feels she is treated differently. The impact of systemic racism and societal stereotypes may have contributed to her poor academic performance and affected her mental well-being.

Charlotte’s socioeconomic class significantly influenced her life. She experiences stress due to her unemployment and unstable financial situation. The counselor should consider the socioeconomic obstacles Charlotte might encounter while trying to access resources and opportunities for employment and stability.

Experiences of oppression or marginalization, such as being a victim of sexual assault, can profoundly impact Charlotte’s feelings of her own self-image. The counselor must be sensitive to the intersectionality of her experiences and the potential impact of trauma and societal stigma. Addressing these multicultural considerations is crucial in understanding Charlotte’s unique perspective and providing culturally sensitive counseling. The counselor should create a safe and inclusive environment where Charlotte feels understood and validated in her experiences, promoting her healing and growth.