learnt about every item on his local takeaway shops menu, where every day Dave would buy his
only meal. As a rapport developed Dave allowed a debate to ensue into the nutritional value of
some of his meal choices. Not to mention the very large amounts of alcohol he consumed each
day. Our counselling service didn’t do anything we wouldn’t offer any other client – we were
respectful, we were reliable, we were empathic, and we wanted to help. After a little while the
sessions did start to include a conversation about his past trauma and the impact it has had on his
life. Dave also sought our assistance to prepare a report, which he later presented to KnowMore
(legal representation). To date Dave has received over 40 x telephone counselling sessions. Dave
now expects (and looks forward to receiving) a call from our CSOs to remind him of his upcoming
appointment. Dave recently told his counsellor that he had been awarded a small compensation
payment and, as they had discussed in counselling, he had made plans to allocate that money to
a goal, rather than alcohol. In the coming weeks Dave has made arrangements to come into our
Newcastle office for the first time to meet our CSO team and counsellor. We anticipate this will be
a very special occasion.
*De-identified client story – names and identifiers have been changed to protect the client’s anonymity
Client Story: Central Coast
Steve is a client with the Royal Commission Support Service on the Central Coast who was
referred to us by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Since
making his submission to the Commission, Steve has attended our service for over a year; initially
fortnightly, and subsequently on a monthly basis. Steve experienced violence in his family home
as a child and was placed in care numerous times throughout his childhood, he also experienced
abuse in numerous care institutions.
As an adult Steve found it difficult to manage his emotions but was determined not to recreate
the family environment he had experienced as a child. He struggled to achieve this for many
years; he is married with one child and also connects positively with extended family members.
Steve has sought professional support to teach him new skills and allow time to make decisions
to strengthen his personal resolve and become the man he wants to be.
Since attending this service Steve has begun to process the trauma memories in sessions and
focused on healthy living between sessions. To this end he exercises regularly; walking on the
beach, bushwalking, cycling and swimming. He finds connecting with nature as he exercises very
calming. He spends quite a lot of time connecting with his pets and is giving back as a volunteer
by visiting in a local aged care facility. His family are very important to Steve.
Steve has also begun therapeutic writing, remembering the “Good news stories” from his
childhood, his first major piece concentrating on a time when he was in his grandparent’s care.
He has also taken to painting pictures that represent his connection with nature. Steve entered
a piece into Central Coast Mental Health Artwork Exhibition. With his permission Interrelate
purchased his artwork when a team from the centre visited the exhibition. We now have a
permanent reminder of the strength of the human soul to fight back to health, and celebrate life
despite adversity.
*De-identified client story – names and identifiers have been changed to protect the client’s anonymity
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