CASE VIGNETTE

Family Members:
Subject of Referral – Jaspreet (age 6)
Mother – Sonia (age 24)

Instructions to Standardized Client

You have a history with Child Protection Services in Vancouver when Jaspreet was a new-born due to substance use during your pregnancy. Jaspreet is now six years old and healthy but a “difficult” child.

You have attended drug rehab in the past but without success. Your husband recently filed for divorce due to your ongoing substance use. You had a hard time struggling with substance use while being a newly single parent. You wish to relocate to Toronto from Vancouver because you believe it will help you start over and be closer to your parents and siblings. The new adjustments have been difficult with you, and you get frustrated with Jaspreet easily.

There was an incident report in which you admitted to calling Jaspreet “stupid” while you were intoxicated. You feel disconnected to Jaspreet as he reminds you of your ex-husband. You feel resentful for giving birth to Jaspreet. You believe that being divorced with a child is undesirable and you will never remarry. You want to make friends in the community with the other mothers, but Jaspreet does not like to play outside with the other children. During the first session, the Social Worker recommended a parent drop-in program for you and Jaspreet, but you refused. You indicated Jaspreet needs individual counselling.

Background

1. Demographic Information
   You currently live in Vancouver with your son, Jaspreet. Your ex-husband recently filed for a divorce due to your substance use. You are thinking about moving to Toronto because you will be closer to your parents and siblings there. You currently do not work but plan to find a job after moving to Toronto. Jaspreet appears to be socially withdrawn and does not initiate conversation with people. He avoids eye contact with people and keeps to himself.
2. History of Presenting Problem
   You have attended drug rehab in the past but without success. Your ex-husband recently filed for divorce because of your ongoing substance use. You are adjusting to your role as a single parent and sole caregiver for Jaspreet, while still needing support for your substance use. In Vancouver, you do not have many supports aside from the Social Worker.

   When Jaspreet was born, Child Protection Services removed him temporarily from your care because of your substance use during your pregnancy. An underlying issue is that you feel disconnected from Jaspreet.

3. Emotional State
   You find it challenging to being a single parent while struggling with your substance use. You are stressed and overwhelmed with these tasks, while feeling a sense of resentment and anger for giving birth to Jaspreet. You feel emotionally disconnected from Jaspreet and do not have a good relationship with him.
4. Verbal and Behavioural Scripts to be Used by Client
   
   Emotional abuse concerns:

• “My son is so difficult to handle. I hate to admit this, but sometimes I wish I never gave birth to him.”
• “He reminds me so much of his father. He will never amount to anything.”
• “I don’t know why he’s acting this way. I feel stressed knowing that I must take care of him on my own. I feel so alone.”
• “I want to move to Toronto so that I can be with my family. I think that some time for me would be good, and I know that my mother can take care of him.”
• “I wish I knew how Jaspreet felt. I think the problem is that I don’t understand him.”

Reporting to Child Protection Services:

• “They will take my child away.”
• “What will you tell them?”
• “I have done nothing wrong.”