A Transdiagnostic Approach to the Treatment of an Adolescent Male with Depressive and Anxious Symptomatology

Abstract

The following is a de-identified case study that presents the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment process for an adolescent presenting with major depressive disorder (MDD) with anxious distress and a history of trauma. All names and identifying information have been changed to protect the client’s anonymity. Newton is a 16 year-old African-American, LGBTQ+ male who presented with depressive and anxious symptoms that were interfering with his home, school, and social functioning. He was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) and multiple self-report measures. At the time of writing, he had attended 10 sessions of individual therapy utilizing a cognitive behavioral approach consistent with a transdiagnostic conceptualization of psychopathology. Interventions targeted emotion regulation, avoidance reduction, cognitive flexibility, emotional awareness, and behavioral activation. A transcript of one session is included to demonstrate Newton’s presentation and engagement in treatment as well as the therapist’s implementation of treatment strategies. Scores obtained on self-report measures throughout treatment are provided to assess symptom reduction and progress on therapeutic goals.