Mason’s acceptance to his dream school brought both excitement and concern. Though he was navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and disordered eating, taking a leave of absence wasn’t the path he wanted. Instead, Mason found support at The Dorm, where he developed essential emotional regulation skills, interpersonal tools, and a body-positive outlook. Today, he feels truly prepared and excited for what lies ahead in his freshman year of college.
At Admissions
Like many college-bound students, Mason had dedicated his junior and senior years of high school to academics and applications—efforts that culminated in acceptance to his dream school. Yet beneath the excitement, Mason felt conflicted: while academically ready, he wasn’t emotionally prepared for the challenges ahead.
Mason was actively managing symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), ADHD, disordered eating, and executive functioning challenges. He recognized that college’s unique pressures—independent living, academic intensity, and building entirely new social networks—could easily become overwhelming.
Through thoughtful consideration and with his family’s support, Mason made the choice to seek treatment the summer before college continuing into his freshman year, building the emotional, cognitive, and social skills needed to thrive in college while actively pursuing his degree.
Treatment and Life Goals
Mason came to The Dorm with clear intention: he wanted to be genuinely prepared for everything his freshman year would demand. Working collaboratively with his treatment team, he established specific goals that would directly support his college success:
- Develop executive functioning skills to navigate academic pressures
- Manage his anxiety and better regulate his emotions for daily challenges
- Improve his interpersonal skills following previous traumas
- Heal his relationship with food and his body
Treatment Plan and Recovery Journey
Individual Therapy
Previous traumas in friendships and relationships had left Mason hesitant about forming new connections. Because of this, Mason’s individual therapy sessions focused on interpersonal work and internal reflection. A few modalities his therapist used in these sessions included:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) equipped Mason with practical interpersonal skills that could be used in his daily life. One skill he found particularly useful was the “FAST” skill for self-advocacy: be Fair, no Apologies, stick to your Values, and be Truthful.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helped Mason manage his anxious thoughts. He learned to identify thoughts that were dysfunctional or unhelpful, and understand how his thoughts, feelings, and behaviors were all interconnected. This awareness made it easier to regulate his anxious feelings.
- Trauma-Informed Care addressed past experiences and helped Mason understand how to heal and move forward from them. Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR) helped Mason process difficult memories, resolving feelings associated with his traumatic experiences and increasing his comfort with social engagement.
Clinical Coaching
Executive Function Coaching (EFC) was a cornerstone of Mason’s care. With his coach, Mason practiced effective methods to prioritize tasks, organize his daily schedule, and create sustainable academic study plans. Mason’s college courses during freshman year and his summer internship provided real-world opportunities to apply and refine these skills.
Parent Coaching and Family Therapy
Parent participation in treatment and family support were large parts of Mason’s success. While deeply supportive, his parents initially found it hard to step back. With guidance, they learned the importance of setting boundaries and letting their child do things on his own. As a young adult headed for college, it was important for Mason’s parents to take a step back in their involvement to slowly push him toward independence.
Group Therapy
Mason thrived in group therapy sessions, attending them consistently and actively participating in discussions. Some groups he enjoyed included:
- DBT Intensive Group helped Mason refine his skills in emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, practicing DBT techniques alongside same-aged peers facing similar challenges.
- Food and Mood Group was where Mason was able to explore the relationship between mental health and eating, helping him understand how his emotional state influenced his eating habits and fostering a healthier body-image.
- Executive Functioning & Learning Lab provided a space for Dorm clients to focus on academic and career tasks. Here, Mason practiced time management and organizational strategies that he could use when studying and writing papers, gaining both practical and emotional support from peers and clinicians.
Nutritional Programming
Working with his dietitian, Mason explored the connection between trauma, control, and eating behaviors. Over time, he shifted from rigid food rules toward a more intuitive and body-positive approach. Psychoeducation, exposure work, and self-compassion practices were key components of this growth.
Community Clubhouse
Despite past relational trauma, Mason didn’t let his experiences hinder him from engaging with The Dorm community. Surrounded by peers in the Clubhouse, Mason’s commitment to connection allowed him to build new meaningful friendships. His openness with peers and providers allowed Mason to become a vibrant and active member of the community.
Academic, Careers and Vocational Support
The summer before freshman year, Mason was driven to get an internship, and when he landed a position, he was able to apply time management and other executive functioning skills in real-world settings.
Beyond academic preparation, his treatment team supported social readiness by encouraging Mason to connect with other incoming freshmen at new student events.
Mason Today: Outcomes
As he prepares to begin his Freshman year this fall, Mason now feels confident, competent, and excited about the coming year. He maintains a body-positive approach to nutrition, regularly uses DBT skills to manage interpersonal stressors, and continues practicing cognitive restructuring to challenge his anxious thought patterns.
Mason remains connected to his Dorm community—both the friends he’d made and the clinical team who supported his growth. He continues prioritizing his own mental wellness by meeting with a therapist at an outpatient frequency, and looks forward to this next chapter.
