conflict and is changing destructive relationships.7 Tells Others What They Want to Hear (7)The client described a pattern of disregarding reality in order to present information so that others will be pleased.The client identifies situations in which the client has been able to be more truthful.The client described the acceptance of others in response to the client's increased truthfulness.
8 Feels Worthless (8)The client verbalized seeing self as being worthless and that disrespectful treatment by others was normal and expected.The client has begun to develop a more positive image of self-worth and is more expectant of positive treatment from others.The client clearly identifies improved self-image and insists on being treated in a respectful manner.
9 Experiences of Abandonment and Abuse (9)The client described feeling unwanted, unimportant, and unloved because of experiences of abandonment and abuse.The client has reduced feelings of being unwanted, unimportant, or unloved.The client verbalized feeling wanted, important, and loved in relationships with others.
10 Panic When Relationships End (10)The client described a pattern of strong feelings of panic and helplessness when faced with being alone as a close relationship ends.The client described a chronic pattern of precipitating problems in a relationship because of feelings of panic and helplessness when faced with the possibility of friction in a close relationship.The client has become more at peace with the natural process of relationships beginning and ending.
11 Sublimates Own Needs to Attempt to Fix Others (11)The client described situations in which the client has attempted to “fix” other people.The client identified that they often sublimate their own needs in attempts to “fix” others.The client identified several examples of how they sublimate needs in order to try to “fix” others.As the client has gained insight into the tendency to prioritize their own needs below fixing others, the client has decreased this pattern.The client indicated a decreased need to “fix” others and is able to appropriately concentrate on their own needs.
12 Parental Role (12)The client described a consistent pattern of selecting relationships with immature individuals.The client described a strong tendency to take on a parental role in a relationship, allowing the partner to continue in a pattern of immaturity.The client is beginning to accept responsibility for taking on a parental role in relationships.The client describes a pattern of replacing the parental role with a more equal relationship with peers.
13 Feels Less Worthy (13)The client described self as having less worth, especially when compared with individuals who did not grow up in an alcoholic family.The client has begun to develop a more positive self-image and has terminated verbalizing negative comments about self.The client has begun to make positive comments about self and the positive aspects of their family.
INTERVENTIONS IMPLEMENTED
1 Build Trust and Establish Rapport (1)*Caring was conveyed to the client through support, warmth, and empathy.The client was provided with nonjudgmental support and a level of trust was developed.The client was urged to feel safe in expressing experiences as an ACA.The client began to express feelings more freely as rapport and trust level have increased.The client has continued to experience difficulty being open and direct about the expression of painful feelings; the client was encouraged to use the safe haven of therapy to express these difficult issues.
2 Focus on Strengthening Therapeutic Relationship (2)The relationship with the client was strengthened using empirically supported factors.The relationship with client was strengthened through the implementation of a collaborative approach, agreement on goals, demonstration of empathy, verbalization of positive regard, and collection of client feedback.The client reacted positively to the relationship-strengthening measures taken.The client verbalized feeling supported and understood during therapy sessions.Despite attempts to strengthen the therapeutic relationship the client reports feeling distant and misunderstood.The client has indicated that sessions are not helpful and will be terminating therapy.
3 Explore Feelings of Powerlessness (3)The client was probed for childhood experiences of powerlessness while growing up in an alcoholic home.The client was asked to explore similarities between feelings of childhood powerlessness and feelings when abusing chemicals.The client was assigned to complete the Step 1 exercise in The Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Client Workbook (Perkinson).The client was assisted in comparing and contrasting adult feelings of powerlessness connected to substance abuse with historical feelings of powerlessness associated with growing up in an alcoholic home.The client was probed for childhood experiences of powerlessness but denied any concerns in this area.
4 Teach Connection Between Childhood and Addiction (4)The client was taught about the increased likelihood to repeat addictive behavior because of growing up in an addictive family.The client was taught specific syndromes of thought and behavior that often repeat from one addictive generation to another.The client was provided with specific examples of the repetition of addiction from one generation to another.The client was encouraged to identify the connection between childhood experiences and the likelihood of repeating behavior.The client denied any connection between childhood experiences and the likelihood of repeating those types of behaviors; the client was reminded to be aware of this connection.
5 Administer Assessment for ACA Traits (5)The client was administered psychological instruments designed to objectively assess the strength of traits associated with being an adult child of an alcoholic.The Children of Alcoholics Screening Test was administered to the client.The client has completed the assessment of adult-child-of-an-alcoholic traits, but minimal traits were identified; these results were reported to the client.The client has completed the assessment of adult-child-of-an-alcoholic traits, and significant traits were identified; these results were reported to the client.The client refused to participate in psychological assessment of adult-child-of-an- alcoholic traits, and the focus of treatment was turned toward this defensiveness.
6 Explore Dysfunctional Family Rules (6)The client explored the pattern of dysfunctional family rules from childhood.The client was asked to explore how dysfunctional family rules lead to chronic fear and an escape into addiction.The client was given support and affirmation regarding the chronic fear related to dysfunctional family rules.It was reflected to the client that they are continuing to exhibit emotional distress and a desire to escape into addiction.
7 Educate About ACA Rules (5)The client was taught the ACA rules for living (i.e., “don't talk, don't trust, don't feel”).The client was taught the connection between dysfunctional ACA rules and the impossibility of healthy relationships occurring.The client was reinforced for verbalizing an understanding of dysfunctional ACA rules and how these have affected relationships.The client denied any pattern of ACA rules or dysfunctional current relationships and was urged to monitor these patterns.
8 Develop Connection Between ACA Traits and Addiction (8)The client was directed to list five ways in which ACA traits have led to addiction.The client was assigned “Addressing ACA Traits in Recovery” from the Addiction Treatment Homework Planner (Lenz, Finley, & Jongsma).The client was assisted in identifying how their ACA traits have led to addiction.The client has displayed greater insight into the connection between their ACA traits and addiction and was reinforced for this growth.The client has not completed assignments regarding understanding codependent behaviors and was redirected to do so.
9 Identify ACA Traits (9)The client was assisted in clarifying ACA traits and the relationship between ACA traits and addiction.The client clearly understood the role that ACA traits have played within their functioning and how that has contributed to the dynamics of their addiction; this insight was reinforced.The client verbalized an understanding of ACA traits and how they have an impact on current functioning in relationships; this insight was reinforced.The client denied the connection between ACA traits and addictive behavior or relationship conflicts and was urged to monitor for this dynamic.
