Lily's Story

A victim of sexual abuse and witness to domestic violence, she was removed from her home to live with her aunt for her own safety. Though this move was in her best interest, Lily struggled with having to move to a new school, make new friends and try to make sense of what happened to her and her mom. Lily’s aunt was in the early stage of researching options to get her niece the help she needed when COVID hit and added a new level of stress.  

Lily’s aunt lost her job early in the pandemic and their sense of financial stability was upended. At one point, money was so tight their electricity was shut off because they were not able to keep up with the bills. Having extra money to continue therapy was not an option at a time with Lily was really struggling with the added traumatic experiences in her young life.  

Lily’s aunt learned about ACGC online when looking for help for her niece. She was intrigued by the concept of trauma-informed therapy and made a “virtual” appointment through the walk-in clinic.   

 Having access to free teletherapy and trauma-informed care provided by funding partners, has already made a difference in her recovery. Not only are Lily and her aunt learning how manage her trauma-related symptoms, but they have also had the support of ACGC’s Family Resource Navigator to provide relief from some of the financial burden brought on by the pandemic.  

With the support of donors, funders and friends of ACGC, Lily is thriving. She continues to learn coping mechanisms to deal with the trauma of abuse, and Lily’s aunt is learning ways to help her on her way to healing.  

Logan's Story

Logan and their grandmother have been taking part in virtual Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) at ACGC for several months. They began treatment because their grandmother wanted to enhance her relationship with Logan and address their history of trauma. She became Logan’s primary caregiver because of safety concerns in Logan’s home of origin and wanted to equip both herself and Logan with skills to manage potential trauma symptoms.  

The family is committed to practicing safety amidst the pandemic and expressed gratitude that a safe choice like teletherapy is available through ACGC. Logan’s grandmother shared that because of where the family lives, and their busy schedule, teletherapy has made therapy possible for them. Since beginning therapy, the family has “graduated” from the first phase of PCIT – Logan’s grandmother has consistently demonstrated many trauma-informed caregiving skills during sessions. As a result, she has noticed that Logan is more confident, calm, and able to express themselves verbally. Additionally, she and Logan are more comfortable playing together and navigating times of stress, using a foundation of strong relational skills built through high-quality treatment. 

Mia's Story

Mia is a 15-year-old girl whose mother was worried about the possibility of Mia having ADHD but was unsure about what services would be beneficial for her daughter. Mia was struggling with academic performance, behavior, and communication issues. Her mother was also concerned about the negative perception that her family might have towards mental health issues. Mia’s mother didn't know how to navigate this situation, but our Associate Director of Client Services reassured her that if we couldn't help her, we would find other resources. After listening carefully to the mother's concerns and acknowledging her fears about cultural stigma, our Associate Director of Client Services reassured her that seeking help for her daughter was a positive step and helped her understand the services available at ACGC, recommending a psychological evaluation and therapy.    

During their first meeting, Mia's mother gained a better understanding of the services available to her daughter and how they could improve her daughter's academic performance and overall quality of life. Mia's mother expressed relief and gratitude at being walked through the intake process and having someone to guide her through the process of a psychological evaluation. She felt empowered to make an informed decision and felt confident in seeking help for her daughter and herself.  

In the end, Mia received the appropriate services, including a psychological assessment report that indicated that academic support was needed, which would help Mia improve her grades and behavior at school. The family was also referred to therapy to help improve communication skills at home. Mia's mother was also able to overcome cultural barriers and the stigma surrounding mental health. Mia's story is a testament to the power of seeking help and the importance of having supportive staff at agencies to guide and encourage individuals to overcome challenges. 

These client success stories were shared by ACGC clinicians and are about ACGC Clients. Details, including the client's name, appearance, and age, were changed to maintain confidentiality.