Case Conceptualization: Existential Theory and Marguerite's Case

This case conceptualization applies existential personality theory to the case of Marguerite, a 55-year-old bi-racial woman experiencing anger, depression, and anxiety stemming from marital issues, unemployment, and childhood experiences. The analysis explores how existential therapy, focusing on self-determination, free will, and the search for meaning, can address her challenges. The paper examines the application of this theory to address her feelings of isolation, meaninglessness, and anger, emphasizing the importance of a therapeutic relationship and ethical considerations. It suggests interventions aimed at helping Marguerite take responsibility for her choices and live authentically, ultimately reducing her emotional and psychological dysfunctions and promoting a lasting change in her perspectives. The document emphasizes the role of existentialism in helping Marguerite confront her issues of freedom, meaninglessness, and isolation, and in developing a meaningful life.

Running head: CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION
Case Conceptualization
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Theory applied to case conceptualization
The selected case scenario on Marguerite will be analysed by the existential personality
theory that forms the core or central concept of being in the world. This theory was initially used
to refer to the plethora of experiences of an being, which are exclusive to individuals. Hence, this
theory can be thought of as a form of entity that creates awareness of existence and must be
utilized during confrontation with mortality, personhood and the paradox or associated dilemma
of living in a variety of relationships with other individuals, while existing alone with oneself
(Vos, Craig & Cooper, 2015). The theory will primarily be used for this case conceptualization
due to the fact that it facilitates the process of prioritization of the necessity of past, and present,
while focusing on the present situation. The essay will contain a summary of the case study,
followed by establishment of a close association with the theory and the intervention that must
be implemented in this case scenario, to maximize the benefits gained by the concerned people.
The case study involves Margeurite, a 55 year aged bi-racial woman, who has been
separated from her husband and her daughters. Several incidents of infidelities of her husband,
during the tenure of their marriage finally culminated in the form of their separation. They have
two daughters aged 16 and 19 years, respectively. Having always adorned the role of a
housewife, she is currently unemployed and is currently unable to provide for her expenses.
During her short stint at an office, she began dating Steve, her husband, who was engaged to
some other woman. However, her accidental pregnancy made Steve marry her. Pregnancy
complications worsened her health status and posed as major barriers that made it difficult for
her to continue with the graduation course. A deterioration of her married life, even after a
second pregnancy, was followed by her decision to shift to New Jersey, to her sister. The

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complaints presented by Marguerite most often include anger, depression and anxiety. Loss of
appetitie and erratic sleep are the secondary manifestations of her mental and physical health
status. She also demonstrates a failure to give attention for prolonged time period. The initial
symptoms of isolation and loneliness were triggered during her childhood years at Northern
California. An inter-religion marriage between her parents was initially not accepted by many of
her relatives. The death of both her parents have added to her isolation.
The concept of existentialism always illustrates the fact that human beings are continually
challenged by a range of realities that pertain to their temporary existence. Furthermore, this
theory also takes into account the fact that human life is devoid of any inherent meanings, which
in turn have to be appropriately constructed. Furthermore, there is a need to realize the full
potential of oneself, in the process of rediscovering the existential being. This in turn is
facilitated by expressing the powers related to creativity, and embarking on a pursuit of
knowledge. In this case scenario, Marguerite holds the view that her isolated childhood might
have created significant impacts on her present psychological instability. She often faces guilt
and rejection in her actions that get heightened by the constant rebuking of her husband. The
experiences of anxiety disorder are most commonly related to feeling threatened, which in turn is
associated with material and physical aspects of life. However, on a deeper level, anxiety
symptoms encompass the quest for supporting and foundational structures for existence or being
(Correia, Cooper & Berdondini, 2016). Hence, it can be perceived as a subjective parameter of
getting threatened in existential structures. A similar thing is observed when Marguerite gets
anxious. The existential therapy will be employed in a way that focuses on self-determination
and free will. It will also comprise of the search for a meaning that will centre on the patient,
rather than her symptoms. This approach will emphasize on her capacity of making rational

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choices and developing her maximum potential (Vos, Craig & Cooper, 2015). The approach will
stress on the fact that all individuals have the capability of self-awareness, with a unique identity
that they can know of only through interpersonal relationships. She will be made to continually
re-create her image due to the constant life changes that are occurring in the outer environment.
The therapy also focuses on the concept of choice and responsibility. In the pursuit of
their freedom, people become solely responsible for their own actions, plans and choices. This
enhances the feeling of freedom. Depression is a contained state that involves emotional
debilitation and a sustained feeling of not-quite-rightness. The therapy will explore questions
related to free will with a receptive attitude, in place of a dogmatic approach, thereby facilitating
the quest for truth with an open mind (Correia, Cooper & Berdondini, 2016). This in turn will
provide help to Marguerite for overcoming her fears related to isolation, and meaninglessness. It
will directly help her confront the recurring thoughts of responsibility and freedom, thereby
eliminating the overwhelming sense of depression. Hence, an implementation of the concept of
existentialism will reduce the multitude of emotional and psychological dysfunctions that
Marguerite is currently suffering from. She will be asked not to think about the qualms of her
feelings related to meaninglessness and insignificance. Rather, efforts will be taken to comfort
her and assist her in accepting the realities of life. Guiding her to take responsibility of her own
choices and making selections that align with her values and perceptions will help her live
authentically, without feeling isolated (Vos, Craig & Cooper, 2015).
Furthermore, anger issues faced by Marguerite can be directly addressed by a
development of a meaningful and deep therapeutic relationship. This will be facilitated by
existential anger management. It will focus on the principles of the positive, concrete and
flexible approach that will help the patient confront the ultimate concerns and tragic existential

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aspects of life. Anger management using this therapy will be concerned with deeply alleviating
and comprehending the pervasive postmodern symptoms, while promoting a life-enhancing and
meaningful experience of relationship, commitment, courage and power (Correia, Cooper &
Berdondini, 2016). Hence, this will refer to the conscious setting aside of the dogma and
preconceptions, in an effort to identify the actual or subjective experience of being, of
Marguerite. Bias towards the situations that Marguerite has faced in the past is a major ethical
dilemma that might prevent demonstration of a neutral behaviour towards displaying compassion
and empathy towards her. Maintaining confidentiality of the client will form an integral part of
the therapy.
While working with this multicultural patient, existential concept will be put into action
to help her find harmony and meaning in her life, owing to the fact that the therapy will focus on
the serious issues faced by her (Vos, Craig & Cooper, 2015). Marguerite will be assessed to help
her avoid the anxiety related to multicultural origin that she has long wanted to avoid. This will
consist of methods that would enable Marguerite to scrutinize the degree of manipulation of her
behaviour by the social and cultural conditioning. This will create challenges to evaluate the
price that she is paying for her past decisions.
To conclude, the concept of existential personal theory will act as an essential method for
treating the emotional and psychological dysfunctions or instabilities that stem from the basic
anxiety, anger and depression faced by Marguerite. This directly contributes to her loss of
freedom, meaninglessness, and isolation. This will act effective by creating provisions for the
client to explore the heavier life themes. Due to this inherent property of existentialism, the
therapy is likely to help Marguerite bring about a lasting change in her perspectives, rather than

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encouraging any short-term efforts that might make her lose motivation, upon end of the therapy
session.
References
Correia, E. A., Cooper, M., & Berdondini, L. (2016). Existential psychotherapy: An international
survey of the key authors and texts influencing practice. In Clarifying and Furthering
Existential Psychotherapy (pp. 5-17). Springer, Cham.
Vos, J., Craig, M., & Cooper, M. (2015). Existential therapies: A meta-analysis of their effects
on psychological outcomes. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 83(1), 115.