Ryan Hunt
9/4/21
1-2 Journal: Top Three Problems
Katie presents to her first counseling session following a DWI. When asked about the
DWI Katie responded with “I got a DWI— but it wasn’t my fault. That cop was there waiting for
me”! I believe the first issue I need to address with Katie is accountability. Katie made the
decision to have three drinks at the bar and drive home that night. In order for Katie to accept
help she has to know that she is the one in control of making her decisions and that her decisions
to drink frequently are negatively affecting her and those around her. For Katie to truly flourish
in her counseling journey she will need to understand and accept that her DWI was a direct result
of her decision to drink and drive in the interest of recovery and her ability to maintain sobriety.
The next issue that must be addressed is her childhood trauma. Katie describes her
childhood as being very dark following the death of her sister, Sarah. Katie states she has always
felt guilty because her sister died in a crosswalk accident and Katie survived while witnessing
her sister die. She describes her parents following the accident and reports her mother began
heavily drinking and her father barely spoke but did frequently care for her mother when she was
drunk. The accident also heavily affected her sister, Amanda. She began getting in trouble,
running away, and was ultimately diagnosed with an eating disorder. All these things are very
heavy for one person to hold onto, and it is important to address this trauma to allow Katie’s
healing journey to begin. Addressing the guilt and blame she places on herself following her
sister’s death is important to discuss because the stress of the guilt she feels contributes to her
need for alcohol.
Lastly, I would like to address Katie’s future and education goals. Katie’s father pushed
for her to become a doctor when Katie’s dream was to be an illustrator. Katie did not follow her
dream of a career in illustration but also did not follow her father’s dream and become a doctor.
Instead, Katie decided not to go to college to stay home and care for her sister, Amanda. Katie
has expressed wanting to go back to school and get her undergraduate degree and finally become
an illustrator. Opening a dialogue about Katie’s goals in life can help to give her something to
strive for while finding sobriety. Katie is someone who needs encouragement to feel like what
she is doing matters and is important, so providing that encouragement for her to further her
career will only motivate her to practice sobriety.
