Therapeutic Assessment With a Client With Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder: A Single-Case Time-Series Design

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study into the effectiveness of therapeutic assessment (TA), a brief form of intervention that incorporates the results of assessment findings into psychological treatment. The history of Anthony, a man who reported symptoms of persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD), associated with major depression disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is presented. After his parents’ deaths, Anthony became detached from reality, lost all pleasure in his everyday life, and found it impossible to overcome the devastating feelings related to the loss. Following TA principles, the assessor created a supportive and empathic relationship with Anthony and helped him attain his goals for the assessment. The assessment was monitored using a single-case quasi-experimental design with time-series analysis. Results of this study revealed a specific trajectory of Anthony’s self-reported symptoms and a statistically significant trend toward improvement in severity at the end of the TA. This case study highlights the utility and efficacy of TA in helping clients process traumatic losses and complicated bereavements.