Case Study

Topic: Case Study
Order Description
In a 2- to 4-page informative essay, please address the following:
• Explain the role of the human service professional in the helping process.
Identify an appropriate professional image, including body language and appearance. Explain the
importance of these characteristics when working with clients who may disagree or cause
uncomfortable tension.
• Discuss how personal values, beliefs, prejudices and stereotypes can help or harm the helping
process.
• Discuss the potential ethical and legal issues surrounding this case and what your obligations
as a professional would be regarding those issues.
• Explain what recommendations you would make for these clients and your rationale behind
each recommendation.

Your paper should include the following:
• Title Page
• Main body of the paper (2-4 pages, including an introductory paragraph, supporting paragraphs,
and a concluding paragraph)
• Reference page
• Correct APA formatting for in-paper citations
It also should be free of spelling and grammatical errors. You
should follow these formatting guidelines in your paper:
• Use standard margins: 1” on all sides
• Use standard 12-point font size, Arial or Times New Roman
• Use standard double-spacing
• Be sure your text is left justified

Case Study
Two men are seeking services for couples coaching after being released from prison. Reggie is a 26-
year-old African American with a stocky but athletic build, and Todd is a 30-year-old, Caucasian with a
slight frame and more effeminate features.
Reggie is wearing a very revealing “muscle shirt” and shorts and is sweaty from the heat outside. Todd
is dressed in a pink cotton polo shirt with shorts and appears to have a “preppie” style. The men are
invited into the office to be interviewed; each one selects his own couch to sit. Todd takes the lead in
speaking and during the interview, frequently talks over and interrupts Reggie.
Todd reports that he was released from prison three months ago, one month prior to Reggie, and has
been under a lot of pressure to find resources for himself and his partner so they could reintegrate into
society. This stress, along with other issues, has taken a toll on their relationship.
Todd reports that he is estranged from his family and only speaks to his mother from time-to-time
because she is very emotionally abusive towards him and “drives him to drink.” Reggie reports that his
relationships with members of his family are “very complicated.” He discloses that his mother died while
he was serving his prison sentence, and he has not really come to terms with it. Reggie has two sisters
from whom he is estranged – they refuse to speak to him and will not give him information about his
mother’s last days. The two agree that they are left supporting each other on the “outside” and feel they
are learning how to function again in the “real” world.
Todd states that he has served his time, whereas Reggie has a parole officer to whom he must report
regularly. Todd states that he is resentful of the ankle bracelet that Reggie has to wear that monitors his
every move and does not allow him to live freely.
When Reggie was released, he moved in with Todd in the apartment Todd had rented. Two weeks ago,
Reggie moved out of the apartment and into a room in a local halfway house. Todd explains that after
six weeks of constant arguing that frequently escalated into physical violence, Todd threatened Reggie
with a knife because he was so scared. Reggie left the apartment before it got physical and the police
were not called. Reggie did inform his parole officer and the officer found Reggie the room in the
boarding house so Reggie would not violate his parole. Todd later helped Reggie set up the room and
bought him some basics so he could live comfortably.
Todd states that he wants Reggie to be able to come back home, but cannot tolerate the physical
abuse. Reggie states that he is extremely stressed by his own expectations and his feelings that he is
not making it outside of prison. He states that he feels like he has to depend on his partner for
everything, and at this point, has no other choice. He further explains that he was raised to take care of
himself and not have to rely on others.
The men agreed to continue to work on the relationship if referred to counseling. Todd states that he is
very anxious about the situation and wants Reggie to move back home as soon as his parole officer will
give approval. Reggie states that his main goal is to get things established for himself like finding a job,
meeting the expectations of his parole, and being independent.
Todd is very charming and confident during the interview process while Reggie is quiet and keeps his
hands clasped tightly together in his lap. Reggie states that one of his concerns is Todd’s behavior in
public and how it draws attention to them as a couple. The attention makes Reggie extremely
uncomfortable.
Todd interjects that he sees a psychiatrist for his mental health and substance abuse issues. Todd also
reports that his drug issue plays a significant role in the problems in their relationship. He reports that his
current drug use was triggered by the stress of being released from prison first (and alone) and then
later from having to endure the physical abuse by his partner. He states that his drug of choice is
cocaine, which has been a problem for him for many years, sending him to prison and costing him his
career as a realtor. Todd further reports that his psychiatrist has placed him on Lithium and Trazodone
for his Bipolar Disorder.
Reggie reports that he smokes marijuana occasionally and has been drinking alcohol regularly since he
was a teenager. He states that he does not think either of these is a problem for him and does not see
where it is a problem for him to use in front of Todd. Todd states he is resentful that Reggie is not
supportive of him in his daily battle to remain clean and sober and that Reggie’s recreational drug use
in front of him is extremely difficult to deal with.
Todd states that he is on Social Security Disability for his mental health disorder and substance abuse
because it cost him his job several years back and he has been unable to work since. Todd says he
also receives compensation and insurance from his previous employer. Reggie states that he has
enrolled in the “STARS” program set up for people who have been recently released from prison to help
him find employment and re-enter the job market; however, he says he is still struggling to find
employment in this program. He reports that this is a source of tension for him because he needs to be
out there working and supporting himself. He again mentions that he does not like not being able to
support himself and having to rely on someone else.
The two agree that they both have a lot to work on and are under a lot of stress being on the “outside.