Twelve-year-old Elyce and her mother sought therapy from Home Start after Elyce experienced racially motivated bullying so severely that she had to transfer to a remote school due to high anxiety and panic attacks.
Elyce disclosed thoughts of suicide and self-injurious behaviors. She also experienced sleep disturbance, pervasive negative thoughts, and social anxiety so severe she felt unable to speak with people in public when running errands with her mother.
After two months of consistent therapy with a Home Start therapist, Elyce is utilizing "thought records" (a tool used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people identify and evaluate their thoughts and feelings about a situation) to track her intrusive thoughts and their impact on her emotions and actions. She also maintains a semi-consistent sleep schedule where she can get up every morning for school at the appropriate time. Additionally, she is addressing her social anxiety by practicing interacting with new people.
Her mother has expressed gratitude for Elyce’s therapist’s help and support: “I’ve noticed a considerable change in her; she looks forward to talking to Sally’s therapist…and her mood just seems brighter. She’s doing well with her schoolwork, and she isn’t speaking about herself negatively."