Laura, age 17, was referred to the Phoenix Center by the juvenile justice system. She walked in carrying the weight of many labels: “delinquent,” “oppositional,” “defiant,” “manipulative,” “explosive,” “promiscuous,” “unpredictable,” and even…. “bad.”
Over the last several years, Laura has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for suicide attempts as well as rehab centers for drug and alcohol abuse. She has been on probation for over 4 years for running away, truancy, and drug use. In light of Laura’s complex trauma history, her juvenile probation officer referred her to the Phoenix Center, hoping that intensive trauma-informed therapy would help Laura’s ongoing behavioral and emotional needs.
Laura’s therapist, Lindsey Humphrey, intentionally put aside all of the labels assigned to Laura. It was clear that underneath those labels, Laura was a girl who was scared, disappointed, and hurt... She had been abused and abandoned, filled with guilt, shame, and heartache, and was seeking the same love and attention that all children need.
Laura had been in counseling before and was resistant to another person trying to “fix” or “change” her. Lindsey decided to approach therapy in a different way. Instead of trying to “fix,” she was accepting and non-judgmental and gave Laura an opportunity to grow and learn at her own pace.
Since new experiences enhance the brain’s ability to grow and form new neural pathways - despite Laura stating she was not artistic, Lindsey and Laura began “experimenting” and using many materials during art therapy sessions. Strategic use of metaphors within sessions helped Laura connect and find meaning with themes and past experiences in her life.
Using broken glass, they discussed turning something broken, something most people would throw away, into something beautiful by fusing broken pieces of glass together in a new way. Using paint, they discussed how slowing down, breathing, and focusing on the present can change the way we see the future.
When Laura threw clay - turning it inside out and getting rid of all the air bubbles so it wouldn’t explode in the kiln - she simultaneously released her own “bubbles” of anger.
Camp Phoenix provided a healing retreat for Laura. She sat on the dock in the pouring rain, reflecting and releasing traumatic experiences from the past.
During the Canyon Crawl - a high ropes course element during which you walk across a cable, 80 feet above a canyon - Laura stated:
"I wish everyone who has ever felt like they wanted to hurt themselves or commit suicide could go on the Canyon Crawl because you are truly faced with life and death. It was the scariest thing I have ever done – and I did it. If you can get through it, then you can get through anything. The feeling after I accomplished the canyon crawl was better than any drug I have ever tried. I choose life."
At camp, Laura recognized the “masks” she wears to protect herself. She began uncovering her true self, filled with inner beauty, strength, and courage.
Laura is beginning to tear down walls and see herself and her future in a whole new light: she does not have to be defined by her past; she has a future; she is worth loving, and she can help others.
She can choose life.
Thank you for helping Phoenix Center inspire health, hope and healing.
You are making a difference.
