Assignment

Case Introduction

Sandra, a 43-year-old female, Italian American, is seeking therapy because she recently started having panic attacks. After working adjunct at several universities, Sandra was approached by a prestigious university last year; this is also around her son Michael, who graduated from elementary school. Sandra had her first panic attack four months ago while at the theatre with her partner. She reports feeling overwhelmed and had to leave in the middle of the performance. Since then, Sandra has had an attack every 2 -4 weeks. (While Sandra suggests that there are no identifiable triggers, you note that the attacks seem to center around her reflection of the various transitions that she in the family is going through). Sandra’s partner Candice is an accountant and reports that life has been going well for Sandra. She was recently promoted to the rank of full professor at a prestigious university. Their child Michael is doing well in school and will start middle school in the coming months. Sandra reports no particular stress. She is unsure why she has these attacks. Her only prior history of mental disorders was anorexia as a teen to cope with being sexually abused by an uncle while growing up.