John is a 15 year old male. He lives with his mother who works multiple jobs to make ends meet. They reside in a rough lower socioeconomic neighborhood. He has not seen his biological father in 10 years. John spends a great deal of time with no adult supervision or influence and has started drinking alcohol. John had a history of being abused as a young child. John comes from an ethnic background that celebrates the importance of toughness in males. He gets acceptance from his peers who praise him for his toughness. Because he has had no real positive influences in his life, he often thinks very negatively about himself. He has been accused of bullying other kids in school and has been suspended on a number of occasions. He now faces the possibility of being expelled from school. His mother talks to the school psychologist about helping him look for more positive ways to express his strengths and masculinity.
Cognitive and behavioral approach
