Elijah joined The Dorm feeling isolated, directionless, and fearful that he might never achieve his dream of completing a master’s degree and building a career in social work. Since adolescence, he had struggled with low self-esteem, anxiety, and difficulties relating to and connecting socially with others.
Diagnoses
Goals: In His Words
- Manage my anxiety and emotions
- Feel less isolated from humanity
- Build community and connect better with others
- Complete my MSW!
Treatment Plan & Schedule
- Elijah’s treatment plan targeted anxiety and ADHD through a combination of CBT and Intensive DBT, with added support from groups including Social Skills and Cognitive Remediation.
- Individual sessions in motivational interviewing and executive function coaching enhanced his attentional focus and goal-directed behavior, while his participation in movement-based groups and community programming reinforced emotional regulation, connection, and self-trust.
- CBT was especially pivotal in supporting his progress as it targeted unhelpful thought patterns and strengthened his cognitive coping strategies.
Group Highlight: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) group was instrumental for Elijah, who found peer accountability to be a powerful reinforcement of the cognitive restructuring he was practicing in individual therapy. Daily CBT practice helped him rewire anxious thought patterns that had held him back for years.
CBT GROUP GOALS
- Increase awareness of maladaptive thought patterns
- Build skills to challenge and reframe negative thinking
- Strengthen problem-solving and behavioral activation
- Improve emotional regulation through cognitive strategies
- Foster accountability, connection, and resilience
SKILLS GAINED THROUGH GROUP
- Greater awareness of thoughts in high-stress situations
- Clear understanding of how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected
- Ability to reframe negative thoughts to support emotional well-being
- Increased alignment between behaviors and personal values
- Confidence in applying CBT skills to navigate life’s challenges
FEEDBACK FROM THE DORM CLIENTS
- 98% of clients develop strategies to better handle stress and respond to triggers more effectively
- 99% of clients report gaining skills to identify and manage their emotions, reducing anxiety
Elijah Today: In His Words
The Dorm’s community and clinicians reaffirmed my interest in social work and passion to help others. Being immersed in a treatment like this made it possible for me to complete my MSW licensing exam. Now, I’m actively job hunting and have joined a local support group for new clinicians.
