Abby, a 16-year-old female came to the Bridge under the CCBYS crisis program for increased truancy missing an average of three to four days a week of school and suicidal ideation including self-harm. After increased risk behaviors at school and home, leading to a recent hospitalization, she was assessed further and diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression.

Needing more support, she began Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Over the course of a year and a half, Abby continued to thrive in utilizing skills learned through cognitive behavioral therapy.

Abby learned to reframe her negative thoughts, improve her self-esteem, advocate for herself in a more assertive manner, and most importantly improve and rebuild her relationship with her father.

When discharge approached Abby was able to improve her truancy by only missing one to two days on average a month. Abby gained her sense of self back and began to make changes to better herself such as receiving her driver’s license, making honor roll, and winning several competitions along with a scholarship in colored guard. Abby is an extraordinary example of why this work is important and impactful.