This is Emma short story of change with Quetzal
Emma experienced abuse from a family member through her childhood and felt unsupported by her main caregiver. In her late teenage years, Emma left home pregnant with her first child. She married twice and, in both relationships, her partners physically and sexually abused her as well as cheated on her. Emma felt throughout her life that the abuse was an expression of her worth.
She never disclosed until her 40s to her GP. When Emma came to Quetzal at 50 years old, the assessment showed the significant impact of the abuse on Emma health, wellbeing and quality of relationships. She suffered from depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideation. She also struggled with chronic inflammatory conditions including fibromyalgia and rheumatism. She did not work for several years and had very little engagement with her community. Emma considered her children as her lifeline as they were and continued to be so supportive. Emma wanted to take the steps to build a better life for herself by building her self-esteem, being able to go out on her own, reduce her anxiety without having to rely on medication, and return to work.
During her therapy, her counsellor used integrative counselling combining aspects of person-centred, psychodynamic, CBT, and mindfulness techniques to support her. Emma was able to have both face-to-face and telephone counselling to manage better her ill-health and attended sometimes two appointments in the same week depending on her level of anxiety.
In total, Emma had 2 years of counselling with many cancelled sessions as Emma felt overwhelmed by what she achieved during the counselling and chose subsequently to move her counselling to fortnightly. As a result of her journey, Emma feels more confident about the future as her life very much improved.
Emma’s health remains the same due to long term chronic conditions, however, her mood improved. Emma processes her feeling related to childhood sexual abuse better and she has more control over her intrusive thoughts. She reduced her anti-anxiety medication and now uses mindfulness techniques to help control her anxiety. She is more in control and happier.
During the therapy, she contacted her extended family, and decided not to engage further with them as she recognised the importance of setting boundaries for herself that protect her from further anxiety and stress. She has for a long-term plan to contribute to her community through either work or volunteering and join a local club with one of her children. Emma do her best to stay safe and manage her anxiety. She now feels able to travel independently and has no longer suicidal thoughts.
We are so pleased for Emma journey through Quetzal, and we hope that the rest of the journey yield great benefits as she applied what she learnt through the therapy.
