The issue that I think is most important to focus on for Debbie is that of her childhood trauma and how it affects her today. Debbie has PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder from the actions of her parental figures causing distress in her life growing up. Study results show that childhood maltreatment can increase the rate at which a person can develop long term PTSD (Widom, 1999). This increases Debbie’s anxiety levels when she is reminded of anything that has to do with her past traumatic family issues. The odds of someone developing PTSD from child abuse or maltreatment is about 1.7 times higher than someone from a comparable group (Widom, 1999).The definition of PTSD can be found on Magill’S Medical Guide, “An anxiety disorder resulting from direct or indirect exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence and characterized by persistent difficulties that negatively affect an individual's social interactions, capacity…show more content… The Bowen theory uses therapy to work towards the challenging battle of recovering from the long term trauma. The theory uses a combination of family system approach and research that has been done on the brain and its post trauma (MacKay, L. 2012).By using therapy that includes the family support system and the linked research done on the brain a therapist is able to teach effective ways a client can handle stress. The therapist will work with Debbie towards recovery and developing towards her full potential. The family system approach means the therapist will include Debbie’s current relationships with her family and will build on maintaining them in a healthy and supportive way (MacKay, L. 2012). Debbie will decide what goals to build with her therapist because she is the expert of her issues and potential. The therapist will empower Debbie to build her goals and work towards them in affective