From Desperation to Independence: A Journey of Healing Through Assertive Community Treatment
By: Lisa Traudt, MS, LMFT, ACT Program Manager
One of my first clients was a young woman who was unhoused and terrified. She had mild intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), was unable to regulate her emotions, had been hurt, had panic attacks, and was so afraid she reverted to screaming in desperation to get her needs met. These behaviors created barriers to getting help. She wanted help.
As a frequent user of emergency services and impaired ability to function due to her mental illness, she was at high risk of being in the criminal justice system. Creative and consistent community partnership resulted in locating and engaging her, and she was brought into the Assertive Community Treatment* (ACT) team.
With her therapist’s help, the client could calm her emotions for short periods, enough for the team to begin case management and secure emergency temporary housing for her.
An active client since 2021, she is doing so well that she will soon graduate from the program! She lives in her own apartment, has friends, attends therapy, and has well-managed mental health.
Seeing this client go from being terrified, screaming for help, and in survival mode to living independently has been an honor and a privilege. The ACT team has two mottos that infuse our work: “Consistency and Persistence” and “Unconditional Positive Regard.” This is the power and compassion of ACT!
My mission statement? “Make a positive difference in the lives of others.”
*The simple definition of assertive community treatment is an intensive, integrated approach to community mental health service delivery. What this means is that mental health services are provided in a community setting (rather than a more restrictive residential or hospital setting) to people experiencing serious mental illness.
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