Imagine that you have just been given the brief intake form containing the presenting problem of “Jane,” introduced at the beginning of this chapter. Another student, who is a year ahead of you in the...

Imagine that you have just been given the brief intake form containing the presenting problem of “Jane,” introduced at the beginning of this chapter. Another student, who is a year ahead of you in the counseling program, glances at it and says, “That looks easy—a V Code for ‘phase of life problem’ should be it. It sounds like ‘empty nest syndrome’ to me.” On further assessment, you come to the conclusion that Jane’s anxiety may be exacerbated by, but is not caused by, her daughter’s transition into college. In fact, she meets the criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

1. What are the perils of arriving at an “instant” diagnosis?

2. How might the appraisal of Jane have been influenced by gender (both the client’s and the counselor’s)?