Addressing childhood abuse saved his life
Joseph’s family migrated to Australia from Singapore when he was 13. Joseph struggled with the cultural environment in Australia, and even though he was an excellent student in Singapore, his grades began to plummet.
His parents attributed this change to laziness and rebellion, and were verbally and emotionally abusive towards him. By the time Joseph reached adulthood, he was experiencing high levels of guilt, anxiety and depression.
Years of abuse had also affected his ability to express his needs and, as a result, his interpersonal relationships suffered as a result. Joseph welcomed the isolation of the COVID lockdowns but his anxiety peaked when things opened up and he had to return to the workplace. His motivation and self-esteem worsened to the point where he had thoughts of self-harm.
When his five-year marriage began breaking down, Joseph reached out to his GP who then referred him to Better Place Australia. It is at this point that Joseph began receiving the individual counselling he’s been needing for a long time.
The psychologist became a trusted listener and guided Joseph to safely revisit his childhood trauma. The process helped him understand how the abuse continued to impact his self-worth, personal development and relationships. The psychologist also spoke about how Joseph’s difficult cultural integration into Australia may have had a negative impact on his adult life.
The psychologist worked with Joseph to develop strategies for setting healthy boundaries with his parents. This included using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help Joseph develop a positive sense of self, reduce his anxiety and manage his lack of motivation.
After Joseph underwent a risk assessment, he was taught tools for managing any thoughts of self-harm. Once Joseph began making progress in his counselling sessions, the psychologist made an internal referral for family and relationship services (FARS) couples counselling.
By the end of nine counselling sessions, Joseph had developed a strong therapeutic alliance with his psychologist. This trust resulted in some clear outcomes. He is now able to recognise triggers for his low mood, anxiety and self-harming thoughts, and is actively using healthier coping strategies to manage and overcome them.
Joseph’s motivation continues to improve and he has gained enough self-confidence to make significant changes in his life. One of these changes includes successfully applying for a managerial role at his workplace. He now enjoys his job and is making new friends at work.
The FARS couples counselling helped Joseph communicate his emotions to his wife and this has greatly improved their relationship. His wife, meanwhile, understands him better and is able to empathise when he’s going through a hard time.
Better Place Australia counselling and psychology services
The mission of Better Place Australia is to empower people to become more resilient, enjoy healthier relationships and support them through challenging times. When it comes to life’s issues, Better Place Australia counselling and psychology services may be the answer for beginning your recovery process. For help, contact us today.
