Fourteen-year-old Alex is soft- spoken and shy. The middle schooler struggled with depression and severe panic attacks that sometimes put his safety at risk. The panic attacks often occurred during school hours or at night which negatively affected his schoolwork, sleep and overall quality of life. Alex was referred to Casa Pacifica’s Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) program to learn ways to manage and stay safe during his bouts with anxiety.
TBS is a short-term program designed to help children and adolescents overcome chronic behavioral challenges that jeopardize their ability to remain in their home. TBS works in collaboration with the youth, the youth’s caregivers and primary mental health provider, with the goal of helping youth and their parents or caregivers facilitate lasting behavioral change. TBS specialists use the power of relationships to help create success.
Alex was initially wary and closed off. TBS specialists were able to connect with him by trying new activities like art projects or games. Through these activities specialists were able to introduce and practice exercises to help Alex calm himself when intense anxiety took over.
Alex worked with TBS specialists for five months. His mother also participated in sessions to better understand the coping skills that her son was acquiring. Alex was able to practice managing his anxiety in a safe space and learned to ask her mother for support and voice her needs, which was sometimes a challenge given his shy nature.
Today, Alex is thriving. He is enjoying and excelling in school and cites science as his favorite subject. Rather than being overwhelmed with anxiety, Alex is more confident and looking forward to another school year.
“With all of my anxiety, I never thought I would see the day that I would look forward to going to school again,” Alex says. “I learned so much from my team at Casa Pacifica and am excited to get back on track with my education.”