Presenting Problems
Bree arrived at The Dorm after a series of disappointments, having been let go from previous positions. She was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and struggled with emotional regulation and her transition to becoming an adult.
Treatment & Life Goals
During her time at The Dorm, Bree aimed to:
- Improve interpersonal effectiveness through skills work
- Process her trauma, as a child of parents with process addictions
- Better manage her finances and overall adult tasks
Treatment Plan and Recovery Journey
Individual Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing, to help Bree find intrinsic motivation to take care of her daily activities.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), to give her essential skills to support emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to guide Bree in increasing psychological flexibility and accepting her feelings as they are.
Clinical Coaching
- Bree had never had the opportunity to work through skills in real-time beyond the therapeutic office, and this proved to be a critical intervention that helped her see the greatest gains.
- Working with her coach to practice developing more meaningful social connections, empathy, and incorporating interpersonal skills into her daily life allowed Bree to find a position in the film industry, which boosted her motivation to commit to lasting recovery and her excitement for life beyond treatment.
Group Therapy
Bree’s engagement in group therapy sessions was seen as inspiring for many other Dorm clients. She was involved in:
- Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT) Group, allowing Bree to address the rigidity that can come with ASD.
- Living with Chronic Conditions Group, helping her in finding a supportive community with those navigating similar health experiences.
- Urge Surfing Group, to help ride the waves of maladaptive urges like overspending when she felt depressed or anxious.
Bree’s Group Schedule
Community Clubhouse
As an active member of The Dorm community, Bree found joy in attending many of The Dorm’s social events and get-togethers, building rapport with her community and the clinicians. As a community that celebrates and embraces all neurodiverse perspectives, it was extremely beneficial for Bree’s treatment journey to have peers and make friends with other clients who affirmed who she was.
Parent Coaching and Family Therapy
Bree’s family was extremely involved throughout her treatment journey, participating in:
- Family therapy sessions Bree and her clinical coach to discuss financial boundaries, budgeting goals and other independent responsibilities.
- Attendance at the bi-weekly Parent Collectives, a psychoeducational group integral to supporting family members of young adults in treatment.
Academic, Careers and Vocational Support
During her journey at The Dorm, Bree discovered her strong passion for film. With guidance and support she learned to build her resume, role-play for interviews and ultimately land an entry-level role in film.
Bree Today: Outcomes
Bree currently balances three roles, including her dream job in the film industry. She remains deeply connected to The Dorm community, serving as an alumni contact for prospective clients. Prioritizing her mental health, Bree works with a financial coach, an outside therapist, and a nutritionist, while also participating in external DBT groups and support groups for chronic conditions to sustain her clinical progress.
