Without much prior experience in mental health treatment, Alma came to The Dorm looking for support after the end of a long-term relationship, where both parties were heavily enmeshed with one another. Alma felt lost after their separation, and struggled heavily with codependent tendencies and emotional regulation. She was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and anxiety following further assessment
Treatment & Life Goals
Alma identified the following goals with her treatment team and actively worked towards them throughout her time with The Dorm:
- Work on her codependency
- Figure out her life direction
- Learn skills for emotional regulation
Treatment Plan and Recovery Journey
Individual Therapy
Alma’s therapist conducted extensive identity work with her, and would often ask her to look inward to determine her own preferences and passions. Using modalities such as psychodynamic therapy, Alma was able to explore how events in her past continued to affect her present and understand how some of her behaviors reflected symptoms of her eventual diagnoses.
Clinical Coaching
In coaching, Alma was exposed to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for the first time, learning skills to address and unwind her codependent tendencies. She worked specifically on boundary setting, emotional regulation, and how best to communicate her needs with others.
Group Therapy
Alma benefitted greatly from group therapy sessions, and began to be more vulnerable with her community as she discovered more about herself. Some groups that she particularly enjoyed were:
- Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) Process Group, where she provided and received feedback from peers around her codependent tendencies.
- Intensive DBT Group, where she practiced and applied specific DBT skills alongside her peers.
- Relationship Group, where Alma was able to address both the benefits and harms of her previous relationship.
Community Clubhouse
- Alma formed deep and lasting friendships with other clients, and maintained a great rapport with all Dorm staff during her time in treatment. She even won “community member of the month,” an unofficial award given to clients who have contributed greatly to the overall Dorm community.
- Towards the beginning of her treatment journey, Alma was described as “playing a character” — outwardly, her friendly disposition drew in clients and staff alike, but her lively personality masked an internal block. As she grew into herself, discovering her own strengths, likes, and confidence, Alma was able to present herself in a way that felt more authentic to herself, which further endeared her to all at The Dorm.
Parent Coaching and Family Therapy
Parent coaching was an important part of support Alma’s parents through the treatment experience. They were able to develop new skills to set and maintain healthier boundaries and reflect on problematic communication patterns. Alma’s parents were also active participants in the Parent DBT Skills Group, where they were able to learn skills to better communicate at home.
Alma Today: Outcomes
Today, Alma is enrolled full time in a graduate program, and is motivated to continue on her path towards her future career. She regularly utilizes interpersonal effectiveness and emotional regulation skills learned in treatment, and continues to meet with an outside therapist to maintain her mental and emotional wellness. She continues to stay in contact with friends made at The Dorm, and has a much improved relationship with her family.
