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Group Intervention Involving a Client With Chronic Fatigue SyndromeA Clinical Case StudyUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
DePaul University The following case study outlines results from the assessment and treatment of a 32-year-old African American woman with chronic fatigue syndrome. The case history describes a client who is demoralized as a result of having endured worsening symptomatology for the past 3 years with little help from the health care professionals she has consulted. Following evaluation, the client completed a series of eight empowermentoriented, peer counseling groups. Central issues addressed in treatment included issues surrounding expectations fromhealth care providers, issues of denial versus acceptance, identity integration, and irregular patterns of activity. The case study demonstrates the necessity for an individualized and integrative approach to treatment that addresses both medical and psychological aspects of the illness. Findings indicated that a peer-facilitated group therapy intervention was effective in enabling the client to educate herself and gain some acceptance of her condition, modify negative fatigue-related cognitions, improve self-care, and regulate her activity levels.
Key Words: chronic fatigue syndrome group therapy peer counseling empowerment
Clinical Case Studies, Vol. 1, No. 3,
183-210 (2002) |
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