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Art of Awareness Inc.813 Broadway

South Portland Maine 04106Phone: 207 799 1331Fax: 207 799 1350

April 17 2009To Whom It May Concern:Please advise that as of 4/9109 Lori Handrahan successfully completed a DBT informedassessment and treatment recommendations with Ida ODonnell LCSW and LeslieConnolly LCSW. Lori engaged in seven sessions of individual DBT informed therapy atArt of Awareness between 2/16/09 and 4/9109. She demonstrated good willingness andwas well engaged in this course of treatment which was recommended by her daughter sGAL.Lori was able to focus on specific behavior change related to self-care and monitor herwellness needs and her ability to address these needs. Lori discovered the many barriersto her wellness during her course of treatment. Such barriers included living a substantialdistance to her support network which is located in Washington DC. Due to her isolationfrom friends and colleagues Lori has struggled to seek significant interpersonalconnection which has caused her emotional distress.Additionally Lori reports that she has been living in a hostile environment due toincessant emailingandharassingbyherex-husband.Igor.This behavior by her ex-husband appears to have resulted in Loris emotional distress and has had a detrimentalimpact on her wellbeing functioning and occupational performance.Lori is especially concerned that she may be at risk for losing her current job due to acourt order mandating that she reside in the State of Maine therefore sacrificing herability to financially provide for her daughter Mila. Relocation is required by Lori semployer. Losing her job would likely be harmful to Lori s sense of self and identitywhich could further compromise her wellbeing.DBT informed treatment is not necessary at this time for Lori. DBT is indicated forindividuals who demonstrate problematic behaviors due to emotional dysregulation. Dueto the fact that Lori has not struggled with emotion regulation it is recommended that shecontinue individual therapy with her current therapist Allie Knowlton LCSW for furthertrauma treatment and emotional support. Trauma treatment will be possible when Lorifeels safe. Furthermore Lori will likely benefit most and experience relief when she isable to connect regularly with her natural support system in Washington DC. }bLLu C~u t\J Y L G 4 vJ cUJ VllA .A -.d - f :s-ev Leslie Connolly LCSWIda O Donnell LCSW

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ART OFAWARENESS, INC.INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Date: 2/16/09Client: Lori HandrahanAddress: 28 Franklin Terrace

South Portland, ME 04106Phone: 207-211-7706DOB: 5-30-1969IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:Age: 39 Gender: female Relationship Status: divorcedEmployment/Means of Support: Care InternationalMisc. (sexual orientation, cultural identity, religion, education, military status/history)Client is a Caucasian woman, recently divorced and is the mother of a 2 year old daughter.She has PhD in Sociology. Her work has given her the opportunity to travel widely around theworld.MENTAL STATUS: Client presented oriented to person, place, and time. She denied anysuicidal or homicidal ideation. There was no evidence of psychotic processes. She was wellgroomed, very articulate, cooperative, and appeared quite intelligent.PRESENTINGPROBLEM: Client was referred for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by DistrictCourt. The court is overseeing parental custody arrangements for her child. Client did notidentify or present with any issues or behaviors that would typically be addressed in DBT.She described having good coping skills and a good support network in the Washington DCarea. However, she does not want to be in contempt of court and she is open tostrengthening and fine tuning her coping skills is needed.HISTORYOF THE PROBLEM: Client reports that she met her now ex-husband while living andworking overseas. They eventually moved to the USA, married and had a daughter. Clientreports that her husband has a history of having rage attacks and has been violent towardher. She eventually separated from him, then filed and received a protection from abuseorder that lasted for 8 months. They are now divorced and have recently been given sharedcustody. Client is concerned that her daughter may not be safe when with her ex-husband.She also is at risk of losing her job if she doesn't relocated to Washington DC. However, shedoes not want to be in contempt of the court order so she plans to engage in DBT therapyand will stay in Maine, unless she can convince the court to allow her to move.

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ART OFAWARENESS, INC.INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Page 2BIOPSYCHOSOCIAl STRESSORS:Client reports that the stressors in her life are related tofeeling unsafe around her ex-husband. She doesn't feel that her daughter is safe while in herex-husband's care. And she is concerned that she may lose her job, if she doesn't relocate.FAMILY SIGNIFICANT DEVelOPMENTAL HISTORY:Client reports that her biological father was very physically and emotionally abusive to her,her sister and her mother. Her parents divorced when she was a child and her mothereventually remarried. Client has no contact with her biological father and very limitedcontact with her mother and step-father. She has contact with her 35 year old sister. Clientwas married and divorced to another man before this most recent divorce. She reports thather first marriage ended because she wanted to have children and he didn't. She states thatthey are still friends.Client denies any symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder related to her relationship withher father or her ex-husband, such as nightmares, intrusive memories or images, and hyper-vigilance.Client denies any history of substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, or anxiety.

She did appear to be extremely worried about the immediate stressors in her life andadmitted to needing to remind herself to eat, due to decreased appetite.

MEDICAL HISTORY STATUS: (Including medications)Client reports no medical symptoms or conditions. Client is not on any medications.CLIENT'5 STRENGTHS: Client is very intelligent, articulate and cooperative. She reports usingmeditation and time with her friends to manage stress. She enjoys her work and benefitsfrom working out of her home in order to spend more time with her daughter.

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