5 Meet the case study characters

This book uses a case-based approach to learning the skills needed to engage CBT as a modality for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD).  The case vignette is designed to teach these skills while guiding the reader through the ebbs and flows of linked therapy sessions from the initial intake through the termination of treatment.

In addition to learning skills and the flow of clinical engagement, the reader is also invited to explore the inner thoughts of the clinician (Mary Williams, LCSW) as she navigates the nuances of the manualized CBT approach and the complexities of treating mood disorders.  The reader will also meet the client (Magda “Maggie” Perez) as she navigates the complexities of her life, her professional career, her family, and the challenges of GAD.

The preceding chapters will present the evolving case of Maggie through treatment, describing client and clinician interactions in a session-by-session review and sharing thoughts regarding treatment. They will then offer a treatment overview for each session to explore further how manualized treatment is used to improve anxiety symptoms.  In the next chapter, we will review the clinical diagnosis of GAD and then review the history of manualized treatment as a formalized process to drive change.