ABSTRACT
This session involves a middle-aged client (C) with a long-term treatment history for what was diagnosed as “schizophrenia,” including residency in mental hospitals. The client, Rick, has also been clinically assessed as “paranoid” and sometimes believes that he is under the watch of the FBI. He is presently in therapy with Scott Shelby (S), a doctoral student at a university in Louisiana. This session was conducted and videotaped at a local social service agency. During the session, roofers were walking and hammering directly above the room, which made a tremendous amount of noise during the beginning of the session. We were able to get them to take a break so a quieter—though hopefully no less “constructive”—session could take place.
