Lesler Burnham, Case Conceptualization

Case Conceptualization of Lester Burnham, American Beauty

Using a Person-Centered Therapy Approach

Reason for Referral

Lester Burnham is a 42 year old married man, self-referred to the Goodman Psychological Center in order to pursue happiness and inner peace. Burnham presented to the clinic with symptoms of depression, fatigue, irritability and worthlessness.

History of Presenting Problem

As previously stated, Burnham is a married man who claims that he has been in a “loveless marriage” for the past couple of years and he often feels as if he is unimportant not only to his wife, Carolyn as he describes as a “cold perfectionist”, who is very much preoccupied with her real-estate career but also to his daughter Jane who thinks that he needs to be more of a role model instead of lusting her schoolmates/friends. Burnham also claims that he worked for fourteen years for a magazine company which contemplated firing him due to downsizing and as a result he gave his demission. He feels as if all these years of dedication where not appreciated and valued. Burnham’s feelings of worthlessness and repressed anger, as he claims, seem to also be the consequence of lack of intimacy in his marriage leaving him sexually repressed. He feels as if his only ways of relieving sexual tensions are through frequent masturbation and the idea of a possible sexual encounter with his daughter’s best friend. Last but not least, Burnham also reports feelings of being emasculated in the household. All these factors appear to be the leading causes for Burnham’s feelings of despair, depression, worthlessness and vulnerability.

Psychiatric History

Burnham reports of having no history of any mental health disorders.

Medical History

No medical health issues have been reported.

Medications History

No medication history has been reported.

Family Psychiatric History

No familial mental health issues have been reported.

Family medical History

No familial medical complications have been...