CASE STUDY-TIME WILL TELL
December 31, 2007

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Case Study Example: Actual names of people and specific circumstances mentioned in this story have been changed for the protection of my clients’ privacy. When I first walk into any home for the purpose of conducting a consultation for a family, the first order of business is to ascertain who lives at the house and obtain all the necessary information to be effective in my analysis. This information is usually obtained from either the head of the family or their partner. Somewhere during the first several minutes after my arrival, I inquire of one or both as to what they would like to get from the consultation and usually get a list of problems and/or ongoing situations that must be addressed first. Often times, “grown up” problems seem to overpower smaller more “insignificant problems” which involve minor children within that family. Of course, health is never an option, what I am referring to are problems such as conduct in school, extra hyperactivity, lack of concentration in class and things of that sort. Recently, I conducted a yearly consultation for a family of four wherein one of the children is a high school graduate and the other is a 9 year old in 4th grade. Among a list of a dozen other things, one of the recommendations was for a somewhat major change in the 9 year old’s bedroom. My clients diligently made the majority of the recommended changes. I get a call from my client approximately two weeks after my visit. Apparently the 9 year old has had several disciplinary problems in school. I immediately referred back to my recommendations and between the two of us, we figured out that the change in the child’s bedroom was never made. My client explained that it wouldn’t be until the weekend when they would be able to make the change. I offered as an alternative that the child sleep elsewhere until the change could be made. The mother stated that the child could sleep in their bedroom so we left it at that. I received a follow-up call a couple of days later from the mother stating that the teacher had noticed a change in the child already. Days passed where I didn’t hear from the family so I concluded everything was fine. When it comes to a situation involving a child, what is particularly interesting is that my recommendations on a child’s behalf are given to the parent or parents. There is no awareness on the part of the child nor is there an encouraged action based on the knowledge of what is supposed to happen according to the conditions present. In other words, when it comes to a child, it is pure and unaffected by conscious thought or suggestion. Two weeks later the client called us to bring us up to date. It turns out that the child slept in their room for a few days. Right before the weekend, they had company at the house and the child fell asleep in his room watching t.v. When they realized this, it was already late and they figured one day wouldn’t make a difference. The next day, they receive a call from the school stating that the child, along with several friends, got in trouble in the boy’s bathroom spreading mustard on the toilet seats and the principal forced them all to clean the bathroom. Right away, they realized what had happened and that night, made the time to make the recommended changes. Everything has been quiet since. What is important to note in these particular circumstances is the fact that one single day could make significant difference.