Case II: The Del Sol Family
Instructions: Carefully read and review the following case.
- Each student will complete a genogram of the Del Sol Family on one sheet of paper.
- In a brief narrative section please answer the following questions.
- Describe the Del Sol family; Who does it include? Describe how the family members are related to one another. Describe any close relationship, relationships that involve conflict/history of conflict. Describe any mental or physical disorders experience by the family members. Describe family strengths. And, what are the presenting issues that brought the family in for treatment?
- Describe any cultural issues that need to be taken into account when working with this family.
- Identify one possible overarching goal for this family and two objectives for this intervention. Please indicate who will be responsible for addressing these objectives and how you might measure progress.
Please do not exceed 3 pages for this assignment, use 12 pt Times Roman font and ensure that your final product is well organized and double spaced. Use a centered running heading format (Running Heading: Case Study: The Del Sol Family) with your name and date centered below the heading. No cover page.
The Del Sol Family
Referral Route
Rosa Del Sol was self-referred to the Parkview Family Services agency. At the time of intake, Rosa’s presenting concerns were marital conflict and parenting concerns, especially how to manage her nine-year-old son, Christopher.
Family Composition
The Del Sol family is of Mexican-American heritage and consists of Rosa, age 35, and Miguel, age 37, as well as three children. Rosa and Miguel have been married for four years. Their two daughters are Teresa, age three, and Tina, age 18 months. Christopher, age nine is Rosa’s son from a previous common-law relationship. Christopher’s biological father, Jim, age 36, has not been involved in Christopher’s life since the child was two years old and Rosa does not know Jim’s whereabouts. Rosa states Jim was a heavy drinker and became physically abusive during the pregnancy; they separated shortly after Christopher’s birth.
Rosa is the only child of Maria and Don Valdez, age 55 and 60, respectively. Don was verbally and physically abusive toward Maria, and they separated when Rosa was 12 years old. Rosa has had no contact with her biological father since that time. Maria continued to parent Rosa on her own and has not remarried.
Miguel is the oldest son of Sophia and Thomas Del Sol, ages 62 and 66, respectively. Miguel’s younger brother, Juan, age 34, is not married and according to Miguel, has a “drinking problem.” Miguel’s father “abandoned” the family when Miguel was seven years old. Miguel remembers the loud arguing and fighting between his parents. His mother was remarried, when Miguel was 10 years old, to Ken Wheeler.
The Family System
Rosa was in tears for most of the initial session, claiming she “just can’t take anymore.” Miguel is constantly putting her down, insulting her in front of other people (even in the grocery store), and yelling at the children. Rosa feels that no matter what she does she cannot seem to do anything right (according to Miguel). Rosa is beginning to realize that she is being verbally abused as her father verbally abused her mother. She is also very uncomfortable with her reactions because she has been yelling back at Miguel and feels like the “war is on.” Rosa feels the situation is “out of control.” Sometimes her own anger and Miguel’s intensity of anger have frightened her. Physical abuse has not occurred up to this point according to Rosa. She states that Miguel knows if he ever touches her that would be the end of the relationship. She is determined not to raise her children in an “abusive home” like the home of her own childhood. Rosa says she cries frequently and has had little energy to deal with the conflicts Christopher has been having at school as well as the daily “battles” with Miguel.
Miguel feels the problem between him and Rosa can be “solved on their own.” Miguel admits that he yells a lot at Rosa and calls her names. However, he points out that he always tells Rosa he is sorry. Miguel is of average height and slim build; he appeared very agitated and tense. He admits to experiencing a number of physical symptoms of stress including a pounding heart, frequent headaches, and constant feeling of edginess and restlessness. Miguel describes himself as a loner with no close friends. Miguel agrees with Rosa that he is moody but “a guy can’t be in a good mood all the time.” Miguel’s posture and manner appeared defensive and he indicated he was only here because Rosa had threatened to leave him if they didn’t get help. His family is important to him and he realizes now that despite not wanting to repeat the actions of his stepfather, he can see that he is doing the same to his children.
Christopher attends Parkview School and is in grade two. He is in a regular class after having repeated grade one. Christopher was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) six months ago. He is currently on a trial of Ritalin. In the past month, the school has complained to Rosa that Christopher has become increasingly aggressive with his peers. Christopher’s teachers reported that he has made no friends in his class and has become socially isolated, either withdrawing or acting out angrily. The teacher noted that Christopher had poor social skills and was quite good in sport activities such as soccer and hockey. Christopher’s favorite winter sport is hockey and in the summer he loves to swim, play soccer, and ride his bike.
Three-year-old Teresa is a talkative girl who is generally good-natured. Tina, 18 months, tends to be quiet and allows Teresa to do all the talking for her. Both girls have been achieving their respective developmental milestones. Rosa has no concerns in this area. However, she has noticed in the past three weeks that both girls have not been sleeping through the night. They have been whining and crying a lot more than usual. Teresa has been complaining of a stomachache frequently. Rosa became upset when she told about Miguel coming home from work and marching into the bedroom in silence, and Teresa asking, “Is Daddy mad again?”
Family Background Information
Rosa completed grade 12 and then worked in a bank as a bank teller until the birth of Teresa. Her mother helped raise Christopher when he was an infant and openly stated her disapproval of Rosa’s relationship with Jim, Christopher’s father. Maria lives nearby and, despite what Rosa describes as a “conflictual” relationship, is a source of support for Rosa. Maria often babysits the girls, although Maria now refuses to look after Christopher because “he is too difficult; just like his father.” Rosa describes the relationship between her mother and Miguel as “unfriendly”; “they tolerate one another” as each tends to put the other down. Rosa feels stuck in the middle of a “no win” situation.
Miguel never got along with his stepfather, Ken. Ken frequently became drunk on the weekends with Sophia, leaving the boys to fend for themselves. Ken was not physically abusive, but when he was drinking ”you stayed out of his way so he wouldn’t yell at you.” Miguel says his mother, Sophia, is an alcoholic and has chosen not to have contact with he or with his stepfather. Miguel quit school and left home at age 15. He worked at odd jobs to support himself. Miguel admits to “being in the wrong crowd” and heavily involved with drugs and alcohol as a teenager. Miguel feels proud that he is no longer involved “in that scene” having quit on his own “without anyone’s help.”
