A large part of every child’s journey at Hillsides is getting a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, paired with relentless advocacy from the staff and adults who surround her. Mia was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder due to trauma experienced with her father, and after a variety of dead ends with the Department of Child and Family Services and court-ordered family therapy, her family turned to Hillsides as a beacon of hope.

Right away, Mia was perceptive to building a relationship with her therapist, with initial meetings taking place alone. When attempts for family sessions were made, Mia became triggered—becoming hyper-vigilant, regressing to crying spells and expressing having nightmares. Hillsides and Mia’s mother knew there was more than just this reality in store for Mia. Her therapist offered revisions to the scope of practice, which were centered around Mia’s safety and ceased monitoring visits with her father. The judge granted permission of this plan, and shortly after, Mia exhibited significant improvement.

Utilizing play therapy, grounding techniques to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and somatic therapy for Central Nervous System Repair, Mia is now attending school in person, sleeping on her own, and exhibiting decreased nightmares and anger. When triggered, she taps into interventions learned in her therapy sessions, empowered to verbally express her needs versus shutting down and defaulting to crying spells.

Mia has since graduated from the program, and her therapeutic team threw a small celebration to highlight the family’s strengths and their well-deserved growth. Mia’s mother continues to thank Hillsides for their unwavering support and advocacy, which allowed Mia to take back the reigns of her childhood.