Download AUCC Categorisation of Client Concerns – Main Presenting Issues

AUCC Categorisation of Client Concerns – Main Presenting Issues
Abuse
Includes: childhood and adult sexual abuse, psychological/emotional, physical abuse either recent or
past; domestic abuse; rape; violent crime; prejudice and harassment; may include perpetrators’ and
victims
Academic
Includes: academic performance anxiety; procrastination of academic tasks; concerns re academic
functioning
Anxiety
Includes: panic disorder; panic attacks (mild to severe); generalised anxiety; specific anxiety; worry;
stress; phobia; post traumatic stress disorder;
Addictive behaviours
Includes: OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder); compulsive behaviour and/or thinking; addictions
(food; gambling (including internet); alcohol; sex; drugs; other); addictive patterns of behaviour (overwork; self sabotage; other)
Depression and mood change or disorder
Includes: medicated (clinical) depression; low mood; suicidal ideation; suicidal thought;
hopeless/helplessness; SAD (Seasonal affective disorder); mood swings; manic-depressive symptoms
Loss
Includes: bereavement (may be recent or past); prospective bereavement; significant loss (eg status;
work; relationship); separation anxiety
Mental Health conditions
Includes: psychosis; psychotic behaviour; personality disorder; schizophrenia; bi-polar affective
disorder; delusional disorder; etc
Physical health
Includes: ill-health (long term; short term); injury; physical disorders
Eating disorders
Includes: anorexia; bulimia; obesity; general food distress; distorted relationships with food
Relationships
Includes: specific relationship issues (eg with family; partner; tutor; peer-group); relationship breakdown; relationship problems; problems with engaging in relationships; dysfunctional relating (sexual,
psychological); problems with social relating; loneliness; negotiating stages of relationship; fear of
intimacy
Self and identity
Includes: issues about self-esteem; self concept; self-confidence; self-consciousness; adequacy;
identity (sexual, cultural, etc); struggles of independence or maturation; existential issues
Sexual issues
Includes: sexual orientation concerns; transvestisism; sexual dysfunction; trans-gender issues; issues
about sexual relations; sexual health matters; pregnancy;
Transitions
Includes: managing changes re academic issues; cultural changes; maturation stages; decision making;
separation anxiety
Welfare/employment
Includes: psychological impact of practical issues such as accommodation; finance; etc and issues
relating to employment welfare
Self Harm
Includes: harming self through cutting/burning/punching/bleaching/biting/other methods, severity
ranges from moderate to disabling
It is worth noting that often a client will present with a combination of these issues. The one that is
recorded for statistical purposes is the ‘main’ presenting issue, ie the issue on which most of the
therapy is spent dealing with, as negotiated with the client.