Story of Hope
My client (alias Amanda) was a very young woman who became involved in a serious relationship as a teenager. Her parents disapproved of the relationship, and over time, she slowly moved away emotionally from her family and closer to her boyfriend. He was controlling, demeaning toward her, and became increasingly verbally and emotionally abusive. Amanda watched many of her early dreams fade into the fabric of her all-encompassing relationship. After several years they had a baby together. Shortly after her baby was born, Amanda and her baby survived a harrowing event in which her boyfriend violently physically attacked Amanda while the baby clutched onto her. She was clear-minded enough in the moment to call the police, who quickly came to provide assistance.
That day was the last day she saw her boyfriend. She removed herself from the relationship, pressed criminal charges against him, and committed herself immediately to a better life for herself and her baby. She came to the Julian Center and sought individual therapy. During the course of our treatment, Amanda came to understand her abusive relationship in the greater context of her life. She took steps to re-engage in her life through schooling, work, and future plans for herself and her baby. She came consistently for therapy, and tolerated many painful moments on her journey toward self-understanding and growth. She made many changes in her life and slowly began to feel more trusting and open to finding a truer, healthier love in her life. She experienced greater self-acceptance and self-compassion throughout her therapeutic journey and took many new skills and insights with her as she departed the Julian Center and continued into the future.
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