Case Study Video
Shawn at Admission
Shawn came to The Dorm after multiple hospitalizations for manic symptoms and unresolved trauma. Due to a lack of prior standardized treatment, Shawn required immediate stabilization and structured support from the team.
He entered treatment with significant struggles related to low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and a feeling of stagnation from a major personal loss and past trauma. With his withdrawal from college still fresh, Shawn was eager to gain back the confidence he had found at school and uncover new passions that could give him something to build toward.
Diagnoses
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Bipolar II
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Goals: In His Words
- Gain more confidence!
- Figure out what I’m passionate about.
- Better understand what I’ve been through, and turn it into something that helps me grow.
- Manage my grief and anger.
Treatment Schedule
Treatment Journey
- Throughout treatment, Shawn engaged in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), RO-DBT, and individual Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)—modalities and groups that deepened his insight into maladaptive thought patterns, challenged trauma “stuck points,” regulated his emotions, and reinforced how consistency could anchor stability.
- The Neurodiversity Lab & Process Group and Executive Function Group helped Shawn develop practical skills to manage his ADHD symptoms. He quickly began to feel more “steady” and empowered to engage in day-to-day activities rather than masking or avoiding them altogether.
- Shawn’s parents participated in the Parent DBT Group, learning skills to respond calmly and communicate effectively while reducing longstanding tensions.
- Capoeira played a pivotal role in Shawn’s journey, sparking a passion for creativity and movement while fostering a newfound confidence.
- Shawn “lit up” while engaged in creative outlets such as Art Club, Music Club, and Expressive Writing and Narrative Therapy group, spaces where he could take a more active role in shaping his personal story.
Group Spotlights
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
- Grounded in evidence-based cognitive restructuring, CBT group equips clients with measurable skills to identify and shift maladaptive thinking patterns.
- Objectives:
- Identify unhelpful thinking patterns
- Practice cognitive restructuring
- Build flexible, adaptive thinking
- Skills Achieved:
- Increased ability to identify and challenge distorted thinking
- Greater cognitive flexibility in response to stressors
- Improved problem-solving and emotional regulation
- Objectives:
- 98% clients are better able to recognize and shift unhelpful thinking patterns, allowing for flexible thinking.
Neurodiversity Lab & Process:
- Integrating neurodiversity-affirming frameworks with process-oriented group work, this model targets social functioning, self-advocacy, and identity integration.
- Objectives:
- Reduce masking and avoidance
- Strengthen self-advocacy
- Build comfort in social settings
- Skills Achieved:
- Increased comfort and participation in social environments
- Greater ability to communicate needs and boundaries
- Increased authenticity in social interactions
- Objectives:
- 97% of clients are more comfortable in social settings and able to advocate for themselves rather than masking or avoiding.
Shawn Today
After months of treatment, Shawn is now back in college and channeling his passion for the visual arts as a freelance social media manager. He continues to work on his executive functioning skills with a focus on organization and consistent routines, helping him feel grounded and accountable to the progress he’s made.
One of the most rewarding parts of Shawn’s recovery journey was volunteering for a church and youth group, as well as discovering a new creative outlet that gave him a tangible sense of purpose and confidence he hadn’t felt before.
