Prof Double R

Ms. Z is a 35-year-old African American single-parent woman and mother of two young children who lives in the Baltimore area. Ms. Z was recently assessed at a crisis center after stating that she was experiencing suicidal ideation. Ms. Z was recommended for outpatient treatment for major depressive disorder.

Ms. Z has a history of receiving mental health services since she was 10 years old due to reported “depressed mood.” However, her depressive symptoms became more severe over the past three years after a divorce from her husband, who is no longer involved with the family.

Ms. Z was also raised by a single mother who worked long hours and wasn’t home often, and she was often cared for by a family friend when her mother was at work. Ms. Z described her relationship with her mother as “distant,” and said that she rarely speaks with her.

Ms. Z completed high school and two years of college. She is employed as an office manager at a local insurance company. She has contemplated going back to school but hasn’t found the time to do so. Ms. Z is looking forward to beginning outpatient therapy again to better understand where her depression is coming from and get guidance on how to manage her symptoms.