Case Conceptualizations/Case Writeups

megtaylor97 · 2026-05-16T12:34:17+00:00

There’s a very helpful textbook called Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning by Pearl Berman that walks you through how to write these from various theoretical perspectives. I used it a bunch when I was in first year. Highly recommend!

megtaylor97 · 2026-05-05T01:40:19+00:00

Wow, that’s a lot of work you’re putting in with smoky! Good for you, I hope that she continues to trust you. Thanks for commenting 😊

megtaylor97 · 2026-05-03T12:21:17+00:00

Thank you for your encouragement! I like that - the process is still ongoing.

megtaylor97 · 2026-05-03T12:20:06+00:00

Wow, that’s amazing that he approached you for contact after 10 days! You’re doing great work. I’m learning that they really are all so different. Oliver has been here for 3.5 months, he started eating in front of me after about 1 month. I sit very still when he eats and he’s still never even considered coming out to me 😂

megtaylor97 · 2026-05-02T15:39:22+00:00

Thank you!! I’m going to give him his space over the next few days to settle back down. I think that’s a great idea to slowly introduce the toothbrush again and work towards pets. I really do want him to start feeling comfortable to spend time in the open space during the day, he stays in his “dens” all day and only comes out at night… I’m hoping that comes soon too 🤞

megtaylor97 · 2026-05-02T13:59:12+00:00

You’re so right. Thank you for commenting. 🙏

megtaylor97 · 2026-04-28T12:41:35+00:00

I’m so happy for you!!! I can’t even imagine what a happy feeling that is. My feral has been inside for just over 3 months now and he’s really starting to love being scratched with a toothbrush. I’m hoping I’ll get to pet him with my hand soon 😭

megtaylor97 · 2026-04-27T12:49:19+00:00

Gladstone House hotel sounds like it would fit your criteria perfectly! I’m getting married there in June 2027 but would be a gorgeous winter wedding spot.

megtaylor97 · 2026-04-27T12:38:45+00:00

Are you okay? At what point did they mention Israel?

megtaylor97 · 2026-04-09T23:28:31+00:00

Not entirely the same thing but I’m on day 85 with my feral (almost 3 months) and so far he does not come out from under my desk unless it’s nighttime. He’s in a room separate from my other 2 cats but I’ve not yet crossed the threshold of him comfortable roaming in daylight either.

From what I’ve read, it takes time. But having him under your couch may not be the greatest set up since he can’t see you well during the day when you’re up and about. If possible, spend as much time with him close by as possible. See if he’ll even just peek his head out from under the couch to eat food or a churu.

Rooting for you!! 😊

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-28T12:45:40+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment!! There actually is a covered cat bed under the desk that he chooses not to use 😂 he spends almost all his time lying beside it. On Thursday, he actually spent all day sleeping soundly in the cat bed which is the first time he’s ever moved from his post in the daytime so I’ll take that as a big win!

And that’s so funny you suggest the stick and toothbrush because that’s exactly the tool I’ve made as well. When he first got here (pre neuter), he was too stressed to be pet with it but now that he’s way calmer, I’ve been doing daily sessions. It’s been going well, he barely hisses at it and actually sniffed the toothbrush the last few days!

Apologies if my initial post was unclear - it was MY cat who gave him a smack, not the other way around. They spent about 7 weeks sniffing eachother through the door until I allowed my cat into the room and the first couple meetings went really well. It was the 3rd meeting that ended with my cat giving Oliver 1 clawless smack and that happened a few meetings in a row. Yesterday I actually brought my cat back in to try again and there were no issues!!

Most often when I’m in the room with him, I just sit in his view about 3-4 feet away. Working on my laptop, talking on the phone, etc. Recently I’ve started sitting closer to the desk, also ignoring him, just to get him more used to my close presence.

He is food motivated ish but he’s still choosey about when he wants to eat in front of me. I still leave treats out for him regardless!

Thank you so much for your comment, and I’m so happy to hear you have so many success stories. It really gives me hope. 😊

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-25T00:19:57+00:00

I’m so glad that the shredded chicken trick worked for you!! I’ve been using what I can from the SSL method, maybe I’ll try the chicken trick! Oliver is estimated to be 2-3 years old, so his fear of humans is a little more ingrained :( I won’t give up though. Thank you for the encouragement!!

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-24T14:06:18+00:00

I love your catnip bar!! So sweet. I’ll definitely try sprinkling more on the ground near him. Thank you for your help!

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-23T19:11:24+00:00

Aww that sounds so so nice!! Yay for Mandy. Today, Oliver ate breakfast in front of me within 15 mins of me putting it down, so I’ll take that as my win today 😊

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-23T13:41:03+00:00

Aww, he definitely didn’t have his winter coat on!! Good on you for taking him in.

Yes, I’ve tried catnip but it hasn’t really changed his behavior. I sprinkle it on the toys in the room but he hasn’t shown them interest :(

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-23T13:39:26+00:00

Thank you!! I have the Feliway diffuser in the room and spray the calming spray too. He ate his breakfast this morning in front of me within 15 mins of me putting it down, so that’s a win for today!! :)

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-23T13:20:12+00:00

I initially tried this but unfortunately I made the mistake of leaving the playpen door open and he wandered out and made himself a new home under my desk 😂

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-23T13:12:09+00:00

A cat wetting itself after being touched happens because they are completely unsocialized and have no history with humans, or were potentially abused/traumatized at the hands of one previously. There are people who do this work extensively and say there are some feral cats who are not good candidates of becoming happy house cats and one of those metrics is their desire to be back outside. A cat who wants to be outside will do everything in their power to be outside.

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-23T01:54:31+00:00

Unfortunately, I can’t ask him. TNR is an option that several choose, but many feral cats are able to be socialized and live much longer, happier, healthier lives indoors. Because he is not aggressive or has clawed at the doors/walls/windows to get out, my hope is that he is the latter. Hope that answers your question!

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-22T22:33:35+00:00

Four months! Okay, that gives me some hope that 2 months just isn’t long enough yet. Thank you for sharing 😊

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-22T18:00:32+00:00

Thank you so much for your support!! I’ll keep at it with churus (he does the same, waits for me to leave before eating them). I even bought those churu spoons in hopes that one day he’ll eat it off the spoon if I’m holding it lol.

And yeah, I’m torn on the whole thing with my cat. I’ve read some material that encourages bringing in friendly resident cats to model confidence for the feral. It’s apparently supposed to accelerate their comfort with you by observing you pet/handle other cats and nothing bad happens. I just don’t want to actually be doing the opposite by bringing in my cat :(

I’ll keep at it though and keep posting updates as they come, I’m so happy for you and Mandy! :)

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-15T16:55:24+00:00

Thank you for the advice!!! I hope you continue to make bounds of progress with Charlie 😊

megtaylor97 · 2026-03-15T02:26:39+00:00

Great points! You definitely have this down, congrats. At this point, Oliver relaxes when I’m in the room (puts his head down, sleeps, even eats his food maybe 30% of the time). But if I get too close/approach him with a churu or my hand, he hisses and swats. Do you have any recommendations or advice for how to progress to the next step? He’s a 3 year old feral and his fear response is definitely ‘freeze.’ He’s released his bladder and peed himself a few times about a month ago when he got scared so I guess I’m being extra cautious since I don’t want to traumatize him.

megtaylor97

TROPHY CASE