In recent years there has been increased interest by young people and their families in seeking various types of gender-affirming care. In Fall 2022, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health issued updated guidelines that reflect considerably greater attention to the needs of transgender and gender diverse youth than ever before—and yet the provision of […]
Vignette Jaseli is a 15-year-old, cisgendered, heterosexual Puerto Rican female who uses she/her/hers pronouns. She lives with her mother, father, 10-year-old brother, and 3-year-old sister. They live in a metropolitan neighborhood that is characterized by petty crimes such as theft, but Jaseli reports feeling “safe enough” to walk to school. Jaseli stated her family has […]
Clinical Vignette Wilson is a cisgendered, straight, Black male in his mid-20s who attends a graduate school program in a northeastern metropolitan city. He initially presented to psychotherapy due to a history of depression and anxiety that was at first attributed to the stress of his graduate school education. As treatment progressed, Wilson specified that […]
Clinical Vignette Daisy is a 7-year-old girl who was referred to a pediatric anxiety treatment service due to concerns for obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Daisy’s parents denied any significant medical history but did endorse a family history of anxiety and depression. During the intake assessment, Daisy’s parents described her as a “master nitpicker.” Her parents further reported […]
Clinical Vignette Maria (not an actual individual), an 11-year-old female from Honduras, was seen at a psychology clinic in the South Texas-Mexico border. She was referred by a government shelter that houses newly arrived immigrant minors. Maria was an only child, born and raised in an intact family environment in Honduras. She attained a fifth-grade […]
Clinical Vignette—Isaiah Isaiah, a 13-year-old boy, is referred for mental health services after a child protective services (CPS) investigation substantiated emotional neglect and identified intimate partner violence (IPV) in the home. He lives with his biological mother, Sandra, and Sandra’s partner of three years, Joseph. Sandra and Joseph have two children who also live with […]
Case Vignette Maddy is a 14-year-old White cis-gender girl who is currently in grade 10 and living with her mother. You meet her and her mom today for the first time in your office. Three weeks ago, she was discharged from her first hospital admission, which occurred because she had been self-harming by cutting her […]
Vignette “We just don’t get it,” Brianna’s mother exclaimed in an exasperated voice. “How is it that she did well in elementary school with some basic support but cannot seem to achieve at a similar level in middle school?” Brianna was a sixth grade White, cis-gendered female student referred for an independent, comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation […]
Written by Terry Bardagjy on October 15, 2021
Vignette A 13-year-old male patient in 7th grade at a public middle school informs you (a licensed psychologist) during a routine session that he witnessed a male peer, Kyle (age 11), bringing a handgun to school recently. Your patient showed you video evidence of the allegation, which he took with his own phone. He also […]
Dr. McCabe reviews the legal, ethical, developmental, clinical, and cultural considerations for involving minors in decision-making, including relevant science in adolescent decision-making, risk-taking, and brain development.