Tayib and Rachael Case Study

Case Study

Anita Wright

Capella University

December 4, 2011

The case of Tayib and Rachael can be considered in terms of the various issues that they are currently experiencing in their relationship. The case text indicates that both of them are working individuals, with Rachael living with her son from the previous relationship. Even though the two of them are adults willing to try to grow and develop a relationship together, they experience barriers in terms of the misunderstanding, which is apparent in the case text. The following is an examination and analysis of the case of Tayib and Rachael, with emphasis on how their issues or challenges could be best overcome. It is argued that this case involves the problem of lack of appropriate communication as well as self-disclosure at the most basic level, as well as the need to develop choices based on the options that are currently available to them.

The current stage of development of both Rachael and Tayib is that of early adulthood. It is important to note that this stage of the lifespan can be considered as mainly involving the development of intimate relationships. This means that both Tayib and Rachael are still in the process of trying to develop themselves as they enter into the relationship (Jensen-Campbell & Graziano, 2001). They are stull quite new when it comes to developing the best skills needed in order to ensure that the relationship really works. In addition, Tayib and Rachael are concerned about making the best decisions, especially when it comes to their jobs or occupations. As a result, at their current point of development, Tayib and Rachael need to make choices regarding which things to prioritize or how to prioritize the things in their lives. It is this stage of development that serves as the context of the case of Tayib and Rachael and the problems or issues that they are experiencing (Canary, et al., 1993).

In the area of (clinical) counseling, the challenges that Tayib and Rachael experiences are based on the fact that they are still in early adulthood and are still in the process of developing their skills needed to make their relationship work properly. For instance, the case texts shows that their relationship is quite strained because of the fact that he thinks that she does not properly understand him about his choices in prioritizing his work, while she thinks that he does not have time for her or that he does not give enough attention to her and her son. In effect, both Tayib and Rachael think that they are not properly understood by each other and that they might not be suited to each other. It is arguable that each persons in this case study faces the problem of the lack of appropriate communication skills needed to express intimacy as well as the communication skills needed to self-disclose in a way that builds trust and confidence. It is important to note that research shows that self-disclosure is an important part of building relationships. Self-disclosure has been established as one of the ways through which people gauge honesty and trustworthiness (Johnson, 2001). For instance, when a person engages in self-disclosure, he shows to the other person that he trusts the other person, such that the other persons becomes more self-confident because the other person thinks that the first person puts such trust and comfort. In this regard, it is arguable that Tayib and Rachael lack the self-disclosure they need in order to keep the relationship growing. The mere fact that they both have different and conflicting views about each other means that they have not been properly communicating about how they really feel or what they really think about their selves and each other. Thus, Tayib and Rachael face the challenge of properly communicating and engaging in self-disclosure with each other