Client was a 60-year-old male presenting to Destination Hope for mental health treatment with a history of anxiety consistent with generalized anxiety disorder including: overthinking, feeling threatened, nervousness, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and muscle aches. Client had a history of panic attacks, PTSD and trauma which client attributes to his years as a government agent. Client also suffered a car accident where he broke his back requiring therapy and a neck brace. This contributed to increased depression, anxiety, poor hygiene / self-care, and self-esteem issues leading to isolation. Client had Poor Money Management skills, poor familial relationships and minimized his substance abuse issues. Initially client denied needing treatment and was only here to get his ex-wife and daughters off his back. Client lacked insight and had very few coping skills.

Interventions Used

Therapeutic interventions used were role playing techniques along with Cognitive Behavior Therapy to address the client’s depression, anxiety, poor ADLs and PTSD…with special emphasis on coping with his feelings of shame and guilt relating to disappointing himself, children and ex-wife. The client was initially guarded and withdrawn due to his self-isolation. Client gained trust in his therapist and peers and slowly began to share openly about his PTSD and feelings of guilt due to “leaving brothers behind” while in active duty both in the Military and as a government agent.

Treatment outcomes

As client’s awareness increased the therapist was able to address and process his PTSD, depression, and unresolved grief over retiring from his career. With his therapist he quickly came to understand his barrier to treatment was denial. During group process, client got honest about his struggles with alcohol, overspending and poor relationships. At the encouragement of his therapist, client began attending 12 step meetings, getting numbers, and building a sober support network. Client also introduced prayer and meditation into his daily routine and began to journal. Client built a foundation of trust and no longer isolated. Client received ongoing outside medical services in relation to his accident while under our care to address and ensure therapeutic pain management. Client was able to address his poor money management by taking advantage of our Vocational Rehabilitation services and began to get his finances back on track. Clients whole affect changed; his ADLs greatly improved as did his relations with his family throughout the treatment process.

In conclusion

Client arrived at Destination Hope with limited insight and minimal readiness for change. Through Cognitive Behavior Therapy, a team of clinicians, medication education, dietitian, group therapy and willingness to change, the client’s motivation, judgement and insight greatly improved. As client progressed, the client transitioned to our Cottages Transitional living community where he remained for several months. Client accepted all suggestions and eventually our Case Management Team was able to transition him home with all outpatient services in place to ensure success. Client became an active member of our alumni program and attends meetings via zoom.

This client came to Destination Hope feeling defeated, hopeless and without purpose. This client left Destination Hope saying, “I will leave no brother behind, and this begins with me.”