At intake, Nyah was despondent after multiple hospitalizations dating back to adolescence. With a history of mental health struggles that began at age 10, and a more recent hospitalization due to a suicidal gesture, Nyah felt that any more treatment would be ineffective and a waste of time. She struggled with depression and co-occurring disorders, family codependence, adapting to adulthood, emotional regulation issues, and managing life skills.
Diagnoses
- Depression
- Bipolar II
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Goals: In Her Words
- STABILITY
- Manage life better & figure out what to do next
- Become more independent from my family / have a healthier relationship
Treatment Plan & Schedule
- In addition to safety planning, Nyah’s treatment plan prioritized mood stabilization, emotional regulation, psychoeducation, skill-building and interpersonal development through CBT and specialized groups like Codependents Anonymous and Women’s Process.
- Targeted supports such as Executive Function Coaching, Circuit Training, and Capoeira fostered self-agency, while expressive and mindfulness-based groups, including Art Club and Mindfulness Meditation, rounded out a comprehensive approach to sustainable recovery.
Group Highlight: Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT)
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) served as a central modality, supporting Nyah in her challenges with rigidity and withdrawal. Nyah found the RO-DBT group transformative as it helped her confront excessive overcontrol and build greater flexibility, social connectedness, and a willingness to learn from what the world has to offer.
RO-DBT GROUP GOALS
- Learn how to manage overwhelming emotions
- Replace harmful coping strategies with healthier alternatives
- Build stronger, more supportive relationships
- Improve communication and set boundaries
- Feel more grounded and present in day-today life
SKILLS GAINED THROUGH GROUP
- Increased emotional awareness and reduced impulsivity
- Effective boundary-setting and improved communication
- Quick, actionable tools for crisis situations
- Greater mindfulness and ability to stay present with thoughts and feelings
- Healthier and more adaptive coping strategies for life challenges and stressors
FEEDBACK FROM THE DORM CLIENTS
- 99% of clients leaned how to better recognize, regulate and accept their emotions
- 95% of clients gained an improved sense of self-worth and self-respect
Nyah Today: In Her Words
When I first started at The Dorm, I was dragging my feet. I’d been on this “rollercoaster” before and didn’t expect any progress. The approach to skills work and community really helped me open up and approach my relationships with greater compassion. The social activities also sparked my love for comedy and performance. Now, I’m looking for full-time roles that let me get behind the microphone and onto the stage!
