How Specialized Therapy Created a Way Forward

Twelve-year-old Jackson* was drowning in anxiety and struggling with outbursts he couldn’t control. He and his mother turned to Family Service, searching for answers – searching for hope.

From the moment he met his therapist, something shifted. In a world that often felt overwhelming and unpredictable, therapy became Jackson’s safe haven. Here, he was heard. Here, he wasn’t just a kid with “behavior problems” – he was a child carrying the weight of a painful and previously unspoken truth – he had been sexually abused by a cousin.

His therapist immediately helped the family navigate the steps to report the abuse, ensuring they received the necessary legal and emotional support during this vulnerable time.

Recognizing that Jackson was exhibiting significant symptoms of traumatic stress, his therapist began utilizing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a specialized approach designed to help children like Jackson make sense of their experiences and find a path forward.

Together, Jackson and his mother committed to the journey. It wasn’t easy. But session by session, they worked through the pain. One of the most powerful moments in his therapy was the creation of his trauma narrative—a deeply personal process that allowed him to reclaim his story, to take back the power trauma had stolen from him.

And then, something incredible happened. The anxiety loosened its grip. The outbursts became less frequent. Jackson was no longer just surviving—he was healing.

This is why Family Service exists. To provide a lifeline, to mend what feels broken, and to remind children like Jackson that healing is possible—and that they don’t have to do it alone.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

A Teen’s path to Healing with Family Service

Taming the Whale: A Teen’s path to Healing with Family Service

Fifteen-year-old Mackenzie* began therapy with Family Service after disclosing to her family that she had experienced a terrible trauma.

Although there were lots of things to work through in therapy, Mackenzie’s most dire issue was that she hadn’t been able to get herself to school in the mornings. Working with her therapist, they began problem solving by considering questions such as: How do we make sure that you’re tired enough to sleep? How do we get your space cozy? How much can your parents help?

One day Mackenzie was very upset during her session and while coloring she told her therapist about her “whale” which is what she had named her depression. She expressed this “whale” would swim by during the night and cause her to cry for hours, exhausting her and making her unable to wake up.

Just as quickly as she shared, she stopped. Her therapist encouraged her to continue coloring and let Mackenzie know that she was there if she wanted to speak, and if she didn’t. They sat in silence for a long time, all the while her therapist would check in to see if she was okay until eventually, the session ended.

It might sound like not much was accomplished. However, this was the moment Mackenzie’s therapist earned her trust. After this, Mackenzie was able to learn coping strategies to manage the “whale”, ways to communicate her emotions, and how to connect with her family. Eventually she was able to get back to school.

Today, Mackenzie is a talkative, vibrant, teenager, and because of the support from Family Service and her therapist her future is looking brighter than she ever thought possible.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

A Story of Survival and Hope

Sofia* had been in a long-term relationship that was filled with emotional, verbal and financial abuse.  However, things had never escalated to a point where she thought she might be killed. One day she and her partner went out to eat for lunch, where he began drinking excessively and displaying erratic and argumentative behavior.

Suddenly, he brandished a firearm and forced her into their car, threatening to shoot her if she refused. Luckily, a restaurant employee called law enforcement but not before a high-speed chase ensued with Sofia in the car and her partner continuing to threaten her life if she didn’t listen to him. Ultimately, the car chase ended with no one hurt and her partner was arrested, charged with numerous counts of violence and incarcerated.

At the scene, Sofia was connected to Family Service, where she had support and help from one of our Victim Advocates with the filing of an emergency protective order. She was also referred to counseling services to begin to process her experience. Our Victim Advocates were also able to ensure she received periodic alerts on her former partner’s incarceration status.

Though the road to healing would be long, Sofia was no longer walking it alone. She had found safety, support, and, most importantly, hope for a future free from fear.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

How Parenting Support Had a Triple Impact

Monica’s life took an unexpected turn when she gave birth to triplets prematurely. With her husband and extended family overseas, she faced the challenges of new motherhood largely alone, relying on support from peers and professors in her PhD program. Monica struggled to balance her academic commitments with caring for three newborns.

Enter the Healthy Start Program—a lifeline that transformed Monica’s journey from overwhelming to manageable. As she brought her triplets home, the program’s team began making weekly visits that quickly became a vital source of support. These visits went beyond providing essential items like diapers, wipes, and clothes; they offered moments of comfort and connection that Monica and her children came to treasure. Story time, where caseworkers would sit down to read 1-2 books with the children, became a simple yet impactful part of their early development.

Reflecting on her journey, Monica shared, “Healthy Start didn’t just provide material assistance; it gave me a sense of community and the confidence to thrive as a mother and a student. I am profoundly grateful for this program’s impact on my family’s life.”

Today, Monica’s triplets are now toddlers, thriving just as she is. Thanks to the support of Healthy Start, Monica emerged stronger, with a degree in hand and a bright future ahead.

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

The Power of Support

Lila’s marriage was a nightmare. Trafficked by her husband and exploited as a domestic worker, she faced constant control and abuse. Her husband gave her limited access to their finances, demanded she wash clothes by hand because he didn’t trust the washing machine, and insisted on fresh meals daily, refusing to eat leftovers. On top of these burdens, Lila was solely responsible for caring for their two children. To tighten his grip, her husband installed cameras in the house and car to monitor her every move.

Courageously, Lila made the difficult decision to leave and turned to Family Service of the Piedmont, where she filed a protective order and began the daunting task of rebuilding her life. Through Family Service, Lila was provided counseling and case management services and she was empowered to focus on healing, building her self-esteem, and learning crucial life skills.

She was determined to secure a better future and set ambitious goals: achieve financial independence, secure stable housing, and obtain reliable transportation for herself and her children.

One of Lila’s proudest achievements was purchasing her own vehicle—a powerful symbol of her newfound independence. The car not only made her daily commute to school possible but also gave her the freedom to care for her children and access essential community resources.

Having made remarkable progress in her recovery, Lila is eagerly embracing her independence. Her journey from oppression to empowerment stands as a testament to her strength and resilience.

*Client name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Navigating Finances for a Better Future

Wendy, a determined single mother striving for stability, faced financial hurdles despite her aspirations for a better life for her family. She struggled to find a solution when she fell behind on her monthly rent and faced a costly electric bill that defeated her due to reduced pay at work. After discovering Family Service of the Piedmont’s Consumer Credit Counseling Service through her Housing Authority caseworker, she found her needed support.

With guidance from a financial counselor at Family Service, Wendy joined a matched savings program that helped fund her late rent and electric bill. This assistance allowed her to regain financial stability, and build an emergency fund. Through budgeting lessons and expense management, she not only improved her finances but also boosted her self-esteem.

Wendy’s success story highlights the transformative impact of Family Service’s support. Her newfound confidence and financial security testify to the effectiveness of the Consumer Credit Counseling Services, inspiring hope and encouraging others facing similar challenges to seek assistance for their journey toward financial success.

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

How Access to Therapy Made a Difference for a Family

Haley* was first diagnosed with depression at the age of 19. For much of her life, her mental health issues went untreated. Immediately after the birth of her first child, Haley was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. She underwent a variety of treatments with mixed results. By the time her first son was about two years old she had gained some stability. Then, just days after finding out that she was pregnant again, she was sent spiraling into a deep depression after the tragic death of her best friend.

Haley’s husband worked long hours and much of her time was spent alone. “I gave birth in a haze of depression,” Haley remembers. “Looking back, I am saddened by the fact that my children’s births weren’t nearly as joyful as they should have been.”

When Haley gave birth to her third child, who was premature, a nurse from the hospital connected her with Family Service of the Piedmont’s Healthy Start program. Haley remembers her caseworker was very attentive to her needs. “I told her about how I had been experiencing mental health issues my entire life,” she says. “I was finally on a medication management program that worked well, however I struggled to find a therapist to talk through my problems. With three children, it was very difficult to go anywhere, not to mention the high cost of private talk-therapy.”

Soon Haley was connected with an in-home Healthy Start therapist. “Within two months, I was much more stable,” Haley recalls. “After struggling with postpartum depression for months, I was finally on my way to becoming healthy and bettering myself for my children. Family Service is a huge part of my continued progress.”

Haley is proud of the changes she has made after finally receiving proper care for her mental health issues. Not long ago, she says, she would sit at home on the computer all day. Now she is involved with her kids’ lives. “My children have noticed a difference,” Haley smiles. “I was not as good of a parent when I was sick. I was a lazy parent. When you’re depressed you just don’t care.

Haley recognizes that just being on medication was not enough. The introduction of talk-therapy into her treatment made a huge difference in her progress. “My experience reinforced to me that you absolutely have to have both—medication and therapy,” she says. “Mental Health is like a broken leg. Without the proper receipt of both therapy and medication, the body isn’t going to heal properly. Family Service makes it as easy as possible to get the help that you need. The fact that I can see a therapist in my home has made all the difference in the world. It has made it possible for me to be the best mother I can be.”

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

Financial Counseling Helps Set Goals

After being laid off from his job, Michael* began experiencing financial challenges and sought assistance from Family Service of the Piedmont’s Consumer Credit Counseling Program. He began meeting monthly with a credit counselor who helped him manage his finances, create a budget, and find ways to save money. The support he received was vital to helping him get back on his feet.

“I am so glad this program is available,” he says. It provided everything I needed all in one place.” Despite the challenges, he found a new job through a career placement agency and decided to continue participating in financial counseling.

Michael says his favorite parts of the program are the financial assessments and goal-setting sessions. “It’s great to see the progress I’ve made,” he says. “It gives me confidence that I am meeting my financial goals, and the assessments let me know where I can improve and what I need to focus on.”

Additionally, he has attended a workshop on homeownership, which has been instrumental in helping him prepare to buy a house. “These workshops are a game-changer,” Michael says.

Michael is one of the many clients who have trusted Family Service and our Consumer Credit Counseling Service to help him gain control over his personal finances. “I’ve come a long way. I didn’t even have a stable income initially,” Michael says. “Now, I am saving money and planning to purchase a home for my family soon.”

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.

How Support Groups Foster Belonging

Brandon*, a teenager who faced constant bullying at school, was looking for a safe space where he could explore his identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He wanted to connect with other young people who had similar struggles but found it challenging. Through a meeting with his school counselor Brandon was a referred to Family Service’s LGBTQ+ Outreach Support Group and was able to attend his first group session the following week.

In the beginning, Brandon was reserved and hesitant to open up but the group’s welcoming environment made him feel more relaxed. As time passed, he began sharing his thoughts and emotions and eventually found the freedom to explore his authentic identity within the nurturing embrace of the group. Family Service helped him discover that his challenges were not abnormal and that fellow members of the group shared similar feelings of exclusion.

Weekly group meetings involving social interaction, open dialogue, curated goals, and self-reflections helped cultivate his confidence and resilience, which helped Brandon face his day-to-day life with more understanding of his uniqueness. 

Despite still being on his journey, he has made impressive progress. His growth has been recognized and praised by various individuals, including Family Service staff, his family, school counselor and the supportive friends he has gained through the program. Brandon’s newfound self-assurance is evident in his interactions both within and beyond the group’s confines. 

*Client’s name changed to protect confidentiality. Photo is a stock image.