Case Study: Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart is a 14 year old female. After being kidnaped and abducted for the duration of 9 months, Elizabeth has endured relentless sexual and emotional abuse (NPR, 2013). At age 14, she was abducted from her home, and taken to a remote area of the woods where she was forced to act out her abductors fantasized beliefs. The male abductor threatened to kill Elizabeth if she tried to escape, or yell for help (NPR, 2013). Daily, while being held captive, Elizabeth was forced to consume a vast amount of alcohol and drugs (NPR, 2013). The 14 year old was tethered to a tree for the better part of the day, and was only untied when her abductor proceeded to raped her (NPR, 2013). After she had been discovered by law enforcement, Elizabeth was reunited with her family, and her abductor was arrested and sent to prison, awaiting his sentencing (NPR, 2013).
Elizabeth was referred to crisis counseling by her medical doctor, with congruent efforts of law enforcing, her family, and her LDS Church. Not only has Elizabeth experienced turmeric sexual abuse, she has also endured manipulating and emotional distress throughout her kidnapping ordeal. She struggles to transition her life structure back to normality. [m1]
Present Problem
Elizabeth is experience high levels of social anxiety, stemming from the onset of PTSD. She finds it difficult to asleep, and often wakens throughout the night due to impeding and intrusive nightmares. She finds support and guidance from her church and her immediate family. She worries and stresses about the media implications, as well as the emotional toll, testifying against her abductor in court, will impact herself and her family.
Elizabeth is an adolescent female who experienced a life-altering, turmeric event (PNR, 2013). She experienced repetitive sexual and emotional abuse (PNR, 2013). Being raised in a devout LDS Mormon home, she has strong religious faith and support structure. Elizabeth has received prominent support from her family, her siblings, as well as her local community. However, Elizabeth experiences high levels of anxiety, as well as intrusive flashbacks over the sexual abuse she had experienced. Elizabeth, and her parents, have an expressive goal within counseling that revolves around motivating and strengthening Elizabeth ability to live a happy and productive life. [m2]
Family and Developmental History
Fourteen year old Elizabeth was born into a middle class, Caucasian family (NPR, 2013) She is raised as a devout LDS Mormon, and lives with her parents and siblings in Salt Lake City Utah (NPR, 2013). Prior to the abduction, Elizabeth, her siblings, and her parents maintained a supportive and loving connection. During the 9 month abduction period, Elizabeth was exposed to sexual and emotional violence, both of which, she had never imagined or experienced before (NPR, 2013). After she was found, and