Family Case Presentation
Shaunda Stoughton
Coun 6373
Cognitive Behavioral
Sharla and Todd have been married for one year and have five children residing with
them. Two are from Sharla’s previous marriage, and three are from Todd’s first two marriages.
The house they live in is too small and requires that two of the male step siblings share a room.
The teenagers are seeking more autonomy and want to spend less time at home, which
requires the use of the family car. Sharla works outside the home but also transports the girls
to ballet classes on and softball practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. She also
participates in a carpool for their youngest son’s karate lessons. Often these activities conflict,
but Todd cannot assist her with driving because another child has use of his car in the
afternoons. This leads to conflict between the older siblings and the younger siblings about
their importance in the family structure. The tensions have increased to verbal shouting
matches and the children are attempting to make their parents feel guilty for not spending as
