Family Therapy

Greater Surrey Children's Services

Gemma D. Walker, Ph.D., Psy.D. Psychologist UK License PSY17946

Collateral contact: November 4, 1989

Th[erapist] entered office, found elderly Cau[casian] male seated before her computer, reviewing ind's progress notes. Th explained this was illegal; screen cleared to solitaire game. Th explained that access to th's computer still illegal to nonprofessional, due to secure info[rmation] stored on machine. Male intro'[duce]d self as "Albus, long-lost uncle of ind[ividual]. Uncle then gave th releases, signed by ind's Aunt. Th reviewed; releases legal. Uncle presents w/ strong, direct, continuing eye contact, clear & appro[priate] speech, wearing floor-length, heavily embroidered purple gown; tall, pointed purple hat. Uncle requested that th stop making reports of child abuse relating to ind. Th explained reasons for report. Uncle produced medical records for ind from date shortly after car deaths of ind's par[ent]s. Th skimmed; records seem to indicate no physical damage of any type to ind in car accident. Uncle produced record from ind's most recent physical; records seem to indicate that ind is healthy. Th explained that th must refer records to physician associated w/[ith] Greater Surrey Children's Services, as medical info out of th's scope of practice. Uncle agreed pleasantly that records should be reviewed. Th observed that records do not explain ind's poor treatment w/i [within] LG's fam[ily], abuse by cou[sin], poor clothing, broken glasses. Uncle remarked that "these things will be managed", repeated that th to stop making child abuse reports. Th educated Uncle, explained that th legally mandated to make reports as long as ind living in these conditions. Uncle explained that "it is absolutely vital to [ind's] well-being that he continues to live in LGs' home." Th observed that Uncle has seemed v[ery] unconcerned w/ ind's happiness, well-being up to this moment. Uncle lowered brows, leaned forward, remarked that he "is more concerned than [th] can possibly know." Th dryly observed that uncle has unusual way of demonstrating concern. Uncle leaned back in chair, physically appeared to relax body, commented that "if [th] will not cooperate, [he] can use other means." Th explained that th does not tolerate threats in her office, dismissed Uncle from meeting. Uncle left silently. Medical reports included in ind's chart. Request filed w/ agency psychiatrist to review records for content.

Collateral contact: November 5, 1989

Child Protective Services CW [CaseWorker] phoned th re: home visit, based on th's child abuse report dated 29/10/89. CW reports the following: ind wearing appro clothing, new glasses. Fam[ily] able to produce appro medical reports. Fam presents as safe, happy. Ind's cou presented as friendly, cooperative, affectionate towards ind. CW reports that fam enjoys upper-level SES [socio-economic status] and ind appears to reap appro benefits from fam's SES.

Collateral contact: November 5, 1989

Th contacted ind's teacher to inform re: outcome of Child Protective Services CW's home inspection. Teacher sounded confused, expressed surprise that th had filed report "against that sweet family." Th reviewed prev[ious] disc[ussions] w/ teacher, in which teacher had expressed concerns that ind's same-age cou bullying ind. Teacher expressed confusion, reports that she does not remember any such disc w/ th.

Progress Note: November 5, 1989

Session#7 No Show.

Ind did not appear for session. No call from fam.

Collateral contact: November 6, 1989

Ind's Uncle/LG called to report that ind missed session prev day as fam "no longer sees need" to bring ind to therapy, as school, Child Protective Services CW seem satisfied w/ ind's "progress." Uncle sneering as spoke. Th agreed unwillingly to close case, as no leverage to force ind to attend therapy. Ind's issues not satisfactorily resolved based on th's observations; case closing over protests of th.

Personal process note, November 6, 1989

Well, another one lost to the System. I hope Uncle Albus gets terminal foot rot. That CW must have been doing drugs w/ the fam to file a report like that. And what's w/ the teacher?! I will close this case under protest, like anyone else here cares. Schiller will be enjoying this hugely, I imagine, when he reviews the termination summary.

Even the stupid cat is peeing on me, metaphorically, at least. I tried to put out a can of "liver and bits" cat food for her on my windowsill early yesterday, hoping to keep her out there for little Harry. She managed to smear it across the entire lower half of my window. Unbelievable smell.

Collateral contact: November 7, 1989

Agency psychiatrist left VM [voice message] reporting that ind's physical records demonstrate that ind has no resultant or remaining cranial or brain damage from car accident @ [at] approx[imate]ly 15 mos. of age. Chart to close.

Personal process note, November 7, 1989

I don't even know why I am writing this note, as I have to close Harry's case anyway. But I feel so torn up inside over this one. I know those jerks are hurting him. I want to hurt that teacher for backing down or chickening out or whatever she did. I wonder what dear Uncle Vernon threatened her with to make her act as if the entire report by her and the school never even happened?

I also don't know why I keep trying to get along with the stupid cat, but I guess it shows that I am not letting go of this case as I should. Anyway, she dumped an entire can of "kidney and guts" cat food I left on the windowsill this morning.

I'll close the chart tomorrow. I can always let myself hope for another day.

Collateral contact: November 8, 1989

Th returned from lunch to find male, probably Cau, approx'ly 10-11 ft in height, features difficult to distinguish thru black hair, beard. Strong smell of woodsmoke. Male crouched on th's loveseat, rose when th entered, handed th crumpled note. Note contained 1) legally appro release for th to talk w/ ind's "long lost cou Hagrid" and 2) message from ind's Uncle Albus. Note from Uncle included in chart. Male intro'd self as "Hagrid", v respectful, said he thinks "yer doin' a wurlda good" for ind and slapped th affably on shoulder. Th rose from floor, thanked cou. Cou reported that he had "ta get back north" and thanked th profusely for th's contacts w/ ind, "tryin' ta help" ind, etc. Th escorted out of building, w/ cou thanking th entire time. Cou remarked that "good cats like salmon better'n tinned cat food." Th thanked cou, left rapidly to return to office.

Correspondence contact: included in chart, dated November 7, 1989

My Dear Doctor Walker:

I greatly enjoyed out meeting several days ago. I hope you will pardon my not sending this by owl, but none of our birds was comfortable with the idea of passing the cat on your windowsill. Besides, I had no wish to alarm you, as I know owlpost is not traditional in your current setting. I am sending this, instead, by Mr. Potter's cousin, Mr. Rubeus Hagrid. Please do not allow his appearance to startle you. He is perfectly safe and utterly reliable. Additionally, he may be able to assist you in the matter of your office's cat, as Hagrid is very good with animals.

When I directed you to stop filing child abuse reports, I did not intend that you should stop seeing Mr. Potter in session. Unquestionably, these meetings between you have proved very therapeutic for Mr. Potter, and I am impressed with your management of the family involved. Thus, I have discussed this matter with Mr. Potter's maternal Aunt, one Mrs. Vernon Dursley, and she has agreed that he will return to therapy. I have promised her that she need not worry about any more child abuse reports, as long as Mr. Potter receives certain considerations. In return, she has agreed that certain conditions relating to young Harry will be remedied.

You will find further abuse reports, I hope, unnecessary, as they will continue to be unsubstantiated by any home inspections in the future.

Thanking you again for your kind support of my nephew, I remain,

AD

PS. You will find that Mr. Potter is unaware of the existences of both me and his other relatives, beyond his legal guardians and his cousin Dudley. You will not enlighten him.

PPS. I was very impressed by the foot rot. Fortunately, it cleared up within the hour.

Progress Note: November 12, 1989

Session#7 Present: Ind

Treatment Goals: Reduce individual's [ind's] depressive symptoms [sxs] by teaching ind to recognize sxs, use appropriate coping skills to reduce negative feelings. Teach ind to appropriately express negative feelings at least 1x/wk w/[with] th[erapist].

Session Goals: Review outcome of child abuse report w/ ind. Process ind's feelings re: failure of abuse report.

Symptoms: Low mood, undereating, hoarding food, lack of peer relationships, poor relationship quality w/ maternal Aunt & Uncle & same-age cou.

Interventions & Response: Ind presented in more age-appro clothes, new Public Health-issue glasses. Ind smiling @ th, showed off clothes, reported "I have 'special event' clothes!" w/ excitement. Ind explained that Aunt has given him set of clothes he is currently wearing "for special events, only when she says I can wear them." Ind also reports that same-age cou "is really scared of me right now." Ind reports that LGs v. upset, frightened re: child abuse report, bought ind new set of clothes to wear for CW's visit, ordered cou to leave ind alone, raised voices at cou when cou refused to obey. Th expressed concern that CW's visit did not help ind. Ind reports that "it did; it really did!" and explains that LGs less involved w/ him, exc[ept] for long lectures re: ind's lack of gratitude, unworthiness of new clothes. Ind reports that he understands that this situation cannot last, still wants th to teach him "special tricks" to handle people. Ind reports that he was not allowed to witness CW's visit, exc for brief session when CW spoke w/ ind personally. Th explained "broken record" strategy of repeating same, short, direct phrase to hostile person until person gives up unreasonable demands. Th, ind practiced, w/ much laughter from ind, saying "I can't do this to you; you're too nice!" Ind became able to focus on practice when cat hissed loudly outside window, thumped glass loudly w/ forepaw. Th asked ind re: other surviving fam members, apart from LGs' fam; cat began spitting repeatedly, smacking window loudly. Ind replied that he knew of no other fam, went to window to talk to cat. Cat left windowsill @ ind's approach. Ind gave th brief farewell hug. Th escorted ind to LG's car, found Aunt alone there, who avoided eye contact w/ th, refused any discussion.

Plan: Continue trust-building work w/ ind. Work on goals, including helping ind perceive ind's own strengths, use at home. Teach ind appro coping skills for life w/ LGs' fam.

Consultation Progress Note: November 12, 1989

Present: GD Walker, Ph.D.; Jan Schiller, Ph.D.

Reason for Meeting: Dr W requested outcome of complaints against Dr W to Dr S by ind's Uncle/LG.

Discussion: Dr W expressed concern that ind's LG had filed complaint against her w/ Dr S, as Dr W's supervisor, when Dr W filed child abuse report prev[ious] week. Dr W also concerned that LG had threatened to "go over [Dr S's] head," etc. Dr S explained that he has no memory of these events, dismissed Dr W w/ praise for Dr W's management of case.

Plan: Dr W will continue to monitor situation.

Personal process note, November 13, 1989

It must be some kind of cosmic balance at work here in the U.K. Uncle Albus dresses like a nutcase, cousin Hagrid looks like a nutcase, while Schiller, the teacher, and the CW all act like nutcases. Even the bloody cat's gone berserk, whacking away at the window like she's lost her mind. Uncle Vernon is starting to appear sane and together next to this latest bunch.

And owlpost? Foot rot? What on earth? What is Uncle Albus smoking in his pipe these days?

But Harry's back in therapy, he's happy for the nonce, and I will at least have the chance to teach him a few tricks before we run out of sessions. With the cat's help, apparently.

Oh yes, I put a can of tuna on the sill for her this morning. After lunch, the can was gone and the tuna was smeared on the ledge again. But I could swear part of it had been arranged to look like the letters "S-A-M-N." Cousin Hagrid, playing jokes?

And everyone says southern Californians are weird.