Aaron
Aaron came to ViaQuest Behavioral Health (VBH) in 2002, moving from his home in West Virginia where he displayed severe aggression towards his father and was facing problems with school.
While at VBH, Aaron ignored his issues for a long time, but decided one day to make a change for the better. He started to participate in counseling and other activities that VBH offers that would help improve his life. Once he started to engage in these activities he realized the direction in which he wanted his life to go, and he also knew what consequences would lie ahead if he didn’t choose the right path.
With the assistance of the VBH staff, Aaron was able to get through the emotionally straining times in his life, find and move into his own apartment and become independent. In his own words, Aaron advises, “my suggestion to other individuals struggling in their own lives is don’t take help for granted, and if you get a second chance, take it, because most people don’t get a second chance.”
Kathy
Kathy, who lived in shelter care before her time at ViaQuest Behavioral Health (VBH), had displayed so much physical and verbal aggression that no foster parent would accept her into their home. She had undergone severe trauma and had a strained relationship with her family. In August of 2005 she came to us with a bad attitude and even worse independent living skills. Her room was always a mess, and her cooking skills started and ended at boiling water.
The VBH staff and Program Directors worked with Kathy at her own pace. They gave her the space she needed to figure some things out for herself, but were always there to offer supportive guidance. Over time, Kathy slowly morphed from a quiet, sad, angry teenager into a proud, confident, outspoken house leader.
In April of 2007, after nearly two years at VBH, Kathy moved into her own apartment and soon after she graduated from high school. The future looks bright, but only because Kathy put forth the effort to walk down a different path, and the staff at VBH helped to show her the way.
Michelle
Michelle came to ViaQuest Behavioral Health (VBH) in March of 2005 after she had been hospitalized at a psychiatric facility due to severe self-injurious behavior, extreme physical aggression, and suicidal ideation. She had a long history of multiple traumas, and her family felt unable to keep her safe.
It was a difficult transition for Michelle to leave her family and move over one hundred miles away. Initially, she was attention seeking, attacked staff on a regular basis, and frequently ran away. She also regularly cut herself.
Over time, Michelle began to see that the staff were firm, fair, and consistent. They were holding her accountable for her thinking errors, and reinforcing her positive behavior. She was given positive attention, so she no longer needed to act out to get people to notice her. She began to take care of herself and work hard on her schoolwork. Her staff and program directors continued to encourage her, and Michelle began to thrive. She no longer needed to physically act out to have her needs met – all she needed she found within herself at VBH.
Perhaps most importantly, Michelle wanted to be loved by someone – anyone – who was willing to care for her, regardless of their intentions. Michelle learned that she is a unique and wonderful creation, and now has self-respect. After spending one and a half years at VBH, Michelle learned proper boundaries and relationship formation, and was successfully reunited with her family in August of 2006.
Shane
Shane came to ViaQuest Behavioral Health (VBH) after several failed placements, some of which lasted only a few hours before he was told to leave due to his aggressive behavior. Shane was put on a positive incentive program that reinforced his positive choices. As he progressed through the program, Shane began making more positive choices such as medication compliance and self imposed time away when he began to feel agitated.
Within 90-days of entering the VBH program, Shane began attending public high school where he graduated just two years later. Shane also completed a work skills training program prior to his graduation.
After graduation, Shane moved into his own place and found a job at a local department store. With the help of VBH, Shane learned the life skills necessary to function in the community and continued to maintain compliance with his medications.
Sam
Sam and his sisters were raised by parents with addiction issues. Sam was angry, neglected, abused, and had been exposed to hard core pornography. He and his sister Sara went to live with his grandmother. Unfortunately, Sam perceived Sara as grandmother’s favorite and out of anger, he attempted to get Sara to sexually act with him. She was able to protect herself by locking the bathroom door, but Sam threatened her and pushed a knife under the door. “I wanted to hurt her by having sex with her.”
Sam entered SQA’s Checkpoint Program in October 2006. Gradually he learned about his thinking errors, his denial, and how to take responsibility for his actions. Additionally, SQA prepared Sam to face Sara – to help in her healing as well as his own. Sam was receptive to treatment and over time learned his lessons very well.
To encounter Sam today one wonders, “Where is that angry, scared boy that started out in treatment?” Recently, Sam and Sara met face-to-face at her therapist’s office. Eyes filled with remorse, he listened with compassion as she spoke about her feelings, her treatment and her concerns. He responded with deliberate care. Finally understanding each other, they worked through the sexual issues and formed the bond of trust both of them desperately needed. Sam continues to progress towards a successful discharge from SQA, armed with all the tools he needs for anger management and offender-free living.
We are happy to report that Sam’s mother is also getting treatment as well. Family therapy, rehab, visits to SQA to see Sam, and Sam’s own home passes are helping to rehabilitate her. Sam, SQA and Sara’s therapist are working diligently to rekindle the family relationship as a whole.
Caroline
Caroline had made a very serious suicide attempt by overdosing on over-the-counter medications. She required dialysis in order to stabilize her condition. Following the suicide attempt, she was hospitalized and then admitted to SMA in August of last year. Caroline was initially very resistant to treatment and frequently argued with other residents. Her parents were understandably very anxious about their daughter’s mental health. The family had failed two separate family-based treatment programs and she had been admitted to hospitals for psychiatric care in the past. Caroline had also had a bad experience with a host home. All of these past problems made Caroline and her family feel like she had only one more chance to get her life back on track.
After a month of initial treatment, Caroline began participating more and more in the SMA treatment program. Her initial visits with her family went well, and she was expressing her feelings well. However, when family therapy began, it was clear that there were a lot of unresolved issues brewing under the surface. Caroline would become overly emotional or aggressive during these sessions and sometimes not allow her mother to leave. Caroline’s parents were still traumatized from the suicide attempt and their anxiety worsened whenever Caroline would unravel during family therapy. As treatment progressed, Caroline and family often discussed options for discharge whenever it seemed impossible for Caroline to return to her parents’ home.
However, all parties persevered in treatment, and therapeutic leaves began to take place. There continued to be up’s and down’s within the family, but Caroline was excelling in all other areas of the program. She began attending public school while residing at SMA and received superb reports from all teachers. Caroline balanced appointments, therapy sessions, and therapeutic leaves while maintaining a high grade point average. She often acted as a role model for other residents and presented more mature than most 15 year olds. After months of consistent therapeutic leaves, Caroline’s parents felt that it was time to give her a chance to return home. SMA arranged for family-based therapy, helped enroll Caroline in private school, and assisted with psychiatric and therapeutic planning. She was thrilled to be moving home and getting back to “normal life.” Caroline was discharged on January 21, 2008. During her six-month treatment, she grew from a broken, angry girl to a confident, cooperative young woman with a lot of potential in life. Congratulations Caroline!
