Assignment task:
Gregory is a self-identified man in his late twenties. He works as a social worker in a local mental health agency. Gregory sought help because he was having serious conflicts about a sexual relationship he recently had with a client. Gregory is late for his first three appointments with you but states that he is eager to "connect with you." Gregory tells you that he sees you as a professional peer and is looking forward to working together. You learn that you and Gregory grew up in the same neighborhood but did not know each other. You both come from the same socio-economic background and both paid your way through college and graduate school on academic scholarships. You also share the same cultural identity.
Gregory reflects on the death of his uncle in a recent session. Gregory was very close with his uncle and talks about their fishing trips together on Long Island and described in detail how he felt at his uncle's funeral. His sadness about the loss of his uncle and his positive feelings about him are evident. You begin to feel stirred by your own childhood memories of having done the same thing with your uncle in the same places. You felt an urge to tell Gregory that you feel the same way about your uncle and that you know exactly what he is talking about. You restrain yourself with difficulty and talk about how much Gregory's relationship with his uncle had meant to him and that you could understand his sense of loss but also his continuing feelings of connection with him.
The next week, Gregory calls you and says that he is going to be late for your session but only by about 15 minutes. Gregory arrives an hour later when you are already meeting with your next client. You reschedule for the next day. Gregory arrives on time and apologizes for the previous session. Gregory begins to discuss what lead up to the relationship he had with a client but then receives a phone call. He holds up his finger to you and says, "Sorry just give me a second, client crisis! You understand right?" Gregory leaves the room for the remainder of the session. The following week Gregory again discusses his relationship with his uncle and his grief but does not bring up the sexual relationship with his client.
Why would you describe Gregory as a "difficult" patient? How might you address Gregory's resistance? Use ego psychology theory?